Back on form: six England-based players who are doing well on loan in Europe

Rasmus Højlund is back among the goals at Napoli while Kakub Kiwior has helped make Porto solid in defence and Largie Ramazani has provided Valencia with a creative spark

Rasmus Højlund (Manchester United/Napoli)

The Dane, like many others, struggled under Ruben Amorim at Old Trafford and was packed off to Naples. He scored on his debut, a 3-1 win over Fiorentina, and has been consistent since, netting 10 goals in 26 games for Serie A’s third-placed team. “Now it’s portrayed as if I’m back and just doing really well,” Højlund, who cost United £72m when they signed him from Atalanta in August 2023, said to Denmark’s TV2 last week. “But inside myself my thoughts are in a completely different place. I’m self-critical. I still want to be even better, more involved in the games and score more goals, but it’s fun to observe how the image of me is constantly changing.”

Jakub Kiwior (Arsenal/Porto)

After 27 games of the Primeira Liga season, Porto have conceded only 11 goals, to help put them top of the table, seven points above Sporting. Kiwior’s influence has been obvious, in Europe as well as domestically, where Porto will face Nottingham Forest in the Europa League quarter-finals. The Polish defender has formed a very strong central pairing with his compatriot Jan Bednarek, formerly of Southampton and Leicester. The partnership has provided the foundations for the rest of the team, with Kiwior’s importance seen in how Porto have won 10 matches in which he has featured by a single goal. The 26-year-old’s comfort on the ball allows Porto to build from the back and he can also mix it up.

Luka Vuskovic (Tottenham/Hamburg)

Considering the lack of defensive options at Tottenham throughout the season, all concerned may be quite upset that Vuskovic is flourishing in the Bundesliga. The Croatia centre-back turned 19 in February and has looked mature beyond his years in the backline of a team that have the best defensive record outside the top six clubs in Germany. A towering presence in the air, Vuskovic has been an integral component of attacking and defensive set pieces, scoring five goals in 24 league games, most notably in a 2-2 draw with Bayern Munich, who have been linked with a permanent move for the teenager. Vuskovic, who has won two rookie of the month awards, made a name for himself in December with a stunning flick against Werder Bremen.

Largie Ramazani (Leeds/Valencia)

After helping Leeds return to the Premier League, Ramazani was allowed to head to the Mestalla. The Belgian winger had a slow start in Spain, despite registering an assist on his La Liga debut in a dominant win over Getafe. Injury interrupted Ramazani’s season, but he scored his first goal for Valencia in late January in his 11th league appearance, all coming from the bench. That began a run of scoring five in eight games, including a first Valencia start on 15 February, to help Carlos Corberán’s side move away from the relegation zone. Ramazini picked up La Liga’s goal of the month award in February, thanks to a stunning volley to instigate a victory over local rivals Levante.

Wout Faes (Leicester/Monaco)

After a dispiriting first half of the season in the Championship with Leicester, the Belgian defender found an escape route. Often in these circumstances players have to accept dropping down a level, but Faes was able to secure a move to the playground of the rich and famous. His debut in Monte Carlo was a seventh defeat in eight Ligue 1 games, but he has subsequently helped steady the ship and Sébastien Pocognoli’s side are unbeaten in nine games, winning seven, to put themselves back in contention for Champions League qualification. Faes was part of the team that beat Paris Saint-German in the league and ran them close in Europe, losing 5-4 over two legs in a Champions League playoff.

Triston Rowe (Aston Villa/Annecy)

Seeking a development opportunity is always a fine balancing act, especially for a teenager. The right-back Rowe wanted first-team football last summer and took the chance of moving to Ligue 2, a bold choice for the then 18-year-old. It has paid off. The England youth international’s progress was shown in February when he was nominated for the league’s player of the month award. He has played 83% of the minutes available to him and is attracting interest across Europe. Rowe has eyes on challenging Matty Cash at Villa but, equally, could go on loan again to help continue the progress he has made in France.