Player Focus: The Evolution of Marouane Fellaini

The transformation of a player whose integration into the Premier League did not go unnoticed for a number of reasons has been one of the real success stories of the season so far.

Rarely associated with attacking prowess in his early days at Everton - though he was clearly a real threat in the opposition box - to many, Marouane Fellaini was the man with the afro and a penchant for elbowing opponents in the face, whether it was intentional or not.

The young Belgian became somewhat victimised for the latter, though at over 6'4" a flailing arm was always prone to be in and around the throat region of those who dared challenge for the ball at the time.

However, Fellaini has seemingly managed to continue to instil that fear into those in the opposing midfield to dominate the majority of matches that he plays, despite any incidents in which his aggression could be called into question all but dissipating.

That said, no player in England's top flight has committed more fouls this season (29), though a bookings tally of just 3 indicates that such errors of judgement have been far less dangerous than they were during his early spell in the country.

Nevertheless, it is Fellaini's development into perhaps the most effective attacking midfielder in the league thus far which has most caught the eye. In a positional sense his deployment further upfield came about due to the demise of any real impact from former favourite Tim Cahill.

Fellaini would often be thrust in support of a lone striker late on in tight games to offer an aerial that is at times unplayable. However, it is only since the aforementioned Australian left the club for sunnier shores that Moyes has converted the Belgian into a starting advanced midfielder. By doing so the Toffees boss can use three hard working central midfielders in the same side - though graft is a must for any player in a David Moyes team - and push the lion's share of creative responsibility to the left.

A huge 45% of Everton's attacking touches come down Baines and Pienaar's left flank, and while crossing is a real strength into the likes of Fellaini, the Belgium international is key in linking with the wide duo at times, creating triangles in order to get Baines to the byline.

Trequartista he is not, but Fellaini often plays a part earlier on in the moves that have inevitably ended with him getting the final touch, and more often than not goal so far. There can be no question that physical presence is vital to Fellaini's success, but Moyes' decision to push him forward has also come about because he is one of the side's best players with the ball on the deck.

Unsurprisingly Baines (86.2) sees more of the ball, but no other player in the side have averaged more touches per game than the midfielder's 67.8. While he has averaged fewer passes per game than last season when playing in a flat midfield four, his chance creation has more than doubled this campaign to 1.7, leading to 3 assists already have made 4 all season in 2011/12.

In the role he played last season, the onus on Fellaini was often to break up play, winning 99 tackles - 42 more than any teammate. While he hasn't ditched his defensive responsibilities, with only Baines and Osman making more tackles this time around, he is encouraged to do so further upfield and in turn can win back possession in more dangerous positions.

Undoubtedly the biggest change to his game statistically, however, has been his tendency to arrive in the box and fire off a shot at goal. Averaging 4 attempts at goal so far this season, his tally of 40 in 10 games is just 13 shy of the figure he mustered in 34 appearances last season, and the impact on his goal tally is abundantly clear.

With 6 goals to his name already, Fellaini has netted as many goals this season as he did in the 79 league appearances he made since netting his last goal of the 2008/09 campaign. While his talent has always been there, Fellaini's development into one of the most feared men in the Premier League for purely footballing reasons has been swift and unerringly effective for his side.