A Debut to Remember

With the start of the new season, different supporters may have various targets and expectations to get excited about. Some fans may see this season as the one where their team finally challenges for the league, breaks into one of the coveted European positions or simply stays in the Premier league. However, unless you’re a West Ham supporter, there’s one thing all fans collectively look forward to; new signings. Whether it be a world class, international player or an up and coming youth player, all fans genuinely generate a lot of hype and excitement to see if their club’s investment was worthwhile. While the transfer market may have been drastically impacted by the global financial impacts of the novel covid-19 virus, some clubs were still able to flex their financial muscle.  Let’s take a comprehensive look at the signings I believed made the most impact on opening day. 

10. MARCAL

Club: Wolves

Position: Left wingback

Transfer fee: £ 2.00 mil

The 31 year old Brazilian fullback had a pretty solid Premier league debut for Nuno’s team. While his performance may not have been spectacular, the versatile defender who arrived from Champions League semi-finalist Lyon gave his Portuguese manager a much needed option at wingback in the absence of Jonny. The Brazilian may not be as creative going forward as the Spanish defender but he does add some defensive grit which previous Wolves’ wingbacks may be have lacked. Standing at 1.78 m tall, Marcal does add some presence at set pieces and in his debut game he managed to win a respectable 5 aerial duels and 2 headed clearances.  His 2 blocks and interceptions also assisted the Wolves back 3 in keeping a deserved clean sheet against one of their closest rivals from last season. For his solid performance and his astonishingly low transfer fee, Marcal makes it in at number 10 on my list.

9. Doucoure 

Club: Everton

Position: Midfield 

Transfer fee: £ 22.10 mil 

Once linked with a big money move to PSG, the former France U21 international finally got his move away from regulated Watford. Though, touted as a defensive midfielder by many, Doucoure is actually a very versatile box to box midfielder. In the game against Jose’s Spurs he showed exactly that. The Frenchman had a pass accuracy of 84% and a total of 57 passes while also contributing 3 interceptions and clearances to the defensive aspect of the game. He also had a 100% succession rate in his tackles. Doucoure’s strengths was on full show in the play where he pinched the ball in midfield and ran a few yards with it before setting up James for a curling shot. This play perfectly demonstrated the Frenchman’s amazing athleticism as well as his remarkable quality on the ball. Doucoure makes it into my list at number 9 for his dynamic display at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

 8. Allan, 

Club: Everton

Position: Defensive midfield

Transfer fee: £ 25.00 mil

Another of Everton’s big money signings, Allan, was brought into fill the gap left by Gueye more than a year ago. The fierce Brazilian previously worked under Ancelotti at Napoli and has already looked to have settled in at Goodison Park very nicely. Allan seemed to have covered every blade of grass on Sunday and dealt with any treat to the Everton backline. The deepest of all the Everton midfielders, the Brazilian international, actually had more forward passes than backward passes while making 3 more tackles than Centre back, Michael Keane. Has Carlo finally found someone to protect his porous backline? Based on Allan’s first appearance, he certainly has.

7. TIMO WERNER

Club: Chelsea

Position: Forward

Transfer Fee: £ 53.00 mil

Exciting times at Chelsea! The club has now become the highest spenders in the 21^st century and the German forward is the latest big money move completed in a very busy transfer window for the West London club. The lightning quick striker had a relatively modest debut but was able to draw the penalty for the game’s opening goal. However, the early signs are very promising for the Blue’s fans as the German showed exceptional movement in the game and but for a better final pass from his teammates, could have been through on goal on several occasions. This may take some time though, as Chelsea are a team which are accustomed to playing with a target man rather than a striker who makes runs in behind. Despite only having a shot accuracy of 50%, Werner did link the play very well and looked particularly threatening drifting in from the left. Although not being able to find the back of the net from his 4 shots at goal, the former Leipzig player did have promising first appearance and makes it in at number 7.  

6. TIMO CASTAGNE 

Club: Leicester City

Position: Right Back

Transfer Fee: £ 24.00 mil

With the departure of Ben Chilwell and injury to Ricardo Pereira, it was of critical importance that Brendan Rodgers add a fullback to his squad. Castagne, a Belgian international, arrived from Atlanta and slotted right into the starting eleven. The right back had an impressive start to life in the EPL with 96 touches, 66 passes and 3 tackles, beating fellow right back Trent Alexander-Arnold in every department. His performance was capped off with an emphatic header which turned out to be the game’s winner. It remains uncertain if he would retain his place in the team once Pereira returns to full fitness but if he keeps putting in performances such as the one at the Hawthorns, Brendan Rogers will seriously have something to ponder.  

5. JAMES RODRIGUEZ

Club: Everton

Position: Attacking Midfield 

Transfer Fee: £ 22.00 mil  

They say class is permanent and the Columbian superstar certainly looked a class above everyone on the pitch in his club’s opening match against Tottenham. Playing off the right wing, the former Galactico ran the game for the Toffees and could have registered multiple assists but for Richarlison’s lackluster finishing. Despite not possessing the pace of a typical EPL winger, James made up for it with his outstanding technique and range of passing. Rodriguez had a total of 75 touches in the game and created one big goal scoring opportunity, something which no one in a Spurs shirt could match. The Golden Ball winner at the 2014 World Cup, also managed 3 shots from outside the box and was unlucky not to score after putting a curling effort pass Lloris. The left footed magician also contributed 5 key passes and for his immaculate performance he makes it in at number 5. 

4. CALLUM WILSON

Club: Newcastle

Position: Striker 

Transfer fee: £ 22.25 mil   

An absolute no brainer! After multiple failures to find a prolific striker at Times Side, Steve Bruce’s wishes seemed to have been finally answered with the signing of the English striker. The forward who arrived for a reasonable fee had a very lively game and came close to scoring on several occasions in the first half. Being the clinical poacher that he is, the former Cherry, finally struck in the second half following a flicked on header in the six yard box. Wilson had a total of 4 shots in the game and seems to have stricken up a good partnership with fellow striker, Andy Carroll.  In my opinion, this was a very good deal from Mike Ashley and Newcastle fans should be genuinely optimistic about this season.

3. GABRIEL MAGALHAS 

Club: Arsenal

Position: Centre back

Transfer fee: £ 26.00 mil

The Gunners seem to have finally found some defensive stability under new manager Mikel Arteta. When he first arrived at the club, this seemed very difficult but Pep’s former assistant has implemented a system which has suited the team.  The arrival of center back Gabriel has proven so far to be a very astute signing which would further improve his defense. His first appearance saw him bagging a goal for the club and guiding the defense to a well-deserved clean sheet. Not bad for a center back who hasn’t played a competitive game in six months. Added to his incredible display, the Brazilian defender also had an astonishing 114 passes and 122 touches in the game against London rivals, Fulham. This was the most of any player in the opening round of fixtures. It finally looks like Arsenal has found the dominant, ball playing center back they so craved and Gunners fans should be excited with this signing.  

2. JEFF HENDRICK

Club: Newcastle 

Position: Midfielder 

Transfer fee: FREE

Another great piece of business done by Mike Ashley and Steve Bruce by bringing in the former Burnley midfielder to the club on a free transfer. The versatile midfielder brings loads of Premier League experience to the club and that little bit of grit their current midfield players may be lacking. Hendrick provides a constant goal treat from set pieces and has a good engine which can help the team both in attack and defense.  Despite, Callum Wilson receiving all the plaudits, Hendrick in my opinion was the man of the match. He got the assist for Wilson’s opening goal with a cheeky header and scored a screamer of a goal to kill the game off. Hendrick was also alert to the defensive side of the game making 2 interceptions and blocks. For his industrious and clinical display, Jeff Hendrick makes it in at number 2.

1. WILLIAN

Club: Arsenal

Position: Winger

Transfer fee: FREE

When he put on that blue kit last Saturday, Willian, must have still felt as though he was still a Chelsea player.  The Brazilian looked right at home playing off the right wing, linking well with Aubameyang and his new teammates. He registered 2 assists on the day with some quality crosses and played a crucial part in the opening goal. The former Blue also had an impressive pass accuracy of 96%, something Arteta would be particularly pleased about. The thirty-three year old brings loads of experience and would play an integral part if Arsenal were to break into the top four.  The wide man looks to be the chief creator for the Gunners and fans should expect a lot from their new number twelve, as he also provides a threat at set pieces as shown in the game where he was unlucky not to score from a free kick. While Aubameyang is more of a goal scoring wide forward, Willy, looks to create more for his teammates. He does however, chip in with his share of goals and last season got 4 more than club record signing, Pepe. Willian’s direct style of play also added another dimension to the Gunners attack and for his classy first appearance, makes it in at number one in my list.  

It should be noted that many players were unable to make their debuts due to injury as well as the postponement of two fixtures involving both Manchester Clubs, Aston Villa and Burnley. With that being said, I do hope that you enjoyed my first article and I look forward to your feedback.    

-Adrian Persad.