Premier League debutants rated as Jorginho, Fernandez and Sabitzer introduced
There is nothing quite as exciting in football at the tantalising prospect of a new signing making their debut for their new club.
A number of fans around the country enjoyed that pleasure during the most recent round of fixtures with as many as 21 players making their debuts for their new clubs in the Premier League. Those ranged from the most expensive player in English football history in the form of Argentine midfielder Enzo Fernandez to three-time Champions League winner Keylor Navas.
Some of that crop enjoyed dream debut outings for their new employers, whilst things could certainly have gone better for others.
With that being said, take a look at how all the debutants got on throughout the weekend:
Enzo Fernandez - Chelsea
Having arrived to great acclaim from Portuguese giants Benfica following strenuous negotiations between them and the Blues, Argentine midfielder Fernandez was immediately handed his full Chelsea debut by Graham Potter. Alongside two further January arrivals, his new employers struggled to find consistency against West London rivals Fulham.
Marcel Sabitzer completes Man Utd transfer after last-minute deadline day dash
Fernandez ended up playing the full 90 minutes for the Blues and will now be looking for his first win this weekend against West Ham.
Noni Madueke - Chelsea
Another of the influx of January signings to arrive at Stamford Bridge, the former Tottenham youth prospect arrived from Dutch side PSV for £26m. He came on for fellow arrival Mykhaylo Mudryk at half-time.
Madueke provided two key passes and completed a further two dribbles but could not help his new side find a way past stubborn Fulham side.
Noni Madueke was among a clutch of players making their Chelsea debut (Getty Images)Who do you think was the best January signing? Share your thoughts in the comments below
Jorginho - Arsenal
From two Chelsea arrivals to a departee now. Italian midfielder Jorginho completed a deadline day move across the capital to Arsenal and will be hoping to play a role in a successful title tilt.
His Gunners’ career did not get off to the best start though. He was initially named on the bench for Arsenal ’s trip to Everton, being introduced just before the hour mark.
Only seconds later, James Tarkowski nodded home what would be the eventual winning goal for the Toffees.
Facundo Buonanotte - Brighton
After arriving at Brighton from Rosario Central, the Argentina international was given his first chance to impress with a 15-minute cameo against Bournemouth at the Amex Stadium. He replaced right-back Tariq Lamptey.
Whilst he did not directly contribute, he was still able to join in with his first Brighton celebration after Kaoru Mitoma nodded home a late winning goal for the in-form Seagulls.
Antoine Semenyo - Bournemouth
A January signing from Bristol City, big things were expected of the 23-year-old forward following his seven goals so far this season. He was handed a start at Brighton by Gary O’Neil and could have marked his Bournemouth debut in the best possible way.
Man Utd deadline day live updates as Sabitzer completes loan move
He displayed his fleet-footed dribbling, with a run from his own half during the second period particularly catching the eye.
Hamed Traore - Bournemouth
Another of the Bournemouth new boys to make their debuts, the Ivorian midfielder was deployed in an attacking midfield role against Brighton after completing a loan move from Sassuolo.
Unfortunately, he could not help his new side to victory having played just over an hour before being replaced by Ryan Christie.
Hamed Traore joined Bournemouth on-loan from Sassuolo (Getty Images)Matias Vina - Bournemouth
Whilst Traore was afforded just over 60 minutes on his Bournemouth bow, 28-time Uruguay international Vina played for just nine minutes after joining from Italian giants Roma on loan.
He replaced Jaidon Anthony late on and like Jorginho saw his side concede not long after being introduced.
Marcel Sabitzer - Manchester United
A surprise deadline day signing for the Red Devils having previously looked like they had rounded off their January business, Austrian midfielder Marcel Sabitzer arrived on a loan deal from Bayern Munich. He was introduced late on as the Red Devils attempted to close out victory against Crystal Palace - his midfield colleague Casemiro having been sent off.
He managed just that with Erik ten Hag’s side sealing what could be a crucial three points in the race for a Champions League place come the end of the campaign.
Albert Sambi Lokonga - Crystal Palace
Following Arsenal ’s decision to sign Jorginho on the closing day of the window, the Gunners allowed former Anderlecht starlet Albert Sambi Lokonga to leave the Emirates Stadium to get more experience.
That appears highly likely to come at Crystal Palace under Arsenal hero Patrick Vieira.
Lokonga was introduced as a substitute during the second-half against Man Utd but could not inspire his new side to victory.
Naouirou Ahamada - Crystal Palace
One half of a new midfield duo to arrive at Selhurst Park on deadline day, the Frenchman arrived from Stuttgart on the final day of the window. Like Lokonga, the midfielder was afforded a substitute appearance against the Red Devils.
He replaced Cheick Doucoure with just under ten minutes of time remaining but was left frustrated after the Eagles were unable to stage a comeback.
Naouirou Ahamada arrived at Crystal Palace from Stuttgart on deadline day (Getty Images)Paul Onuachu - Southampton
Following their dreadful start to the new campaign, Southampton turned to the transfer market to bolster their forward line. Genk goal machine Onuachu was among those to arrive following a prolific spell in Belgium.
It only took 45 minutes for Nathan Jones to turn to his new signing after the relegation-threatened Saints found themselves 2-0 down to Brentford. Onuachu was not able to inspire his new side to a comeback as Matias Jensen extended the Bees’ advantage.
Kamaldeen Sulemana - Southampton
Now Southampton’s record signing, the talented young winger was another to come off the bench for the Saints in West London. The Ghanaian - who cost his new side a reported £22m - failed to generate a comeback as he lost heavily on his first Premier League outing.
He will certainly hope to start paying back the huge outlay on his signature as Southampton come up against relegation rivals Wolves next time out.
Craig Dawson - Wolves
Speaking of the Midlands side, one of their January signings enjoyed a dream debut with Julen Lopetegui’s side dismantling Liverpool 3-0. Joel Matip had given Wolves the lead after putting through his own net before defender Dawson doubled the lead with a scintillating finish of his own.
The former West Ham man then performed excellently in the second period as Wolves attempted to close out victory as Liverpool improved after the break.
Tete - Leicester
Arguably the headline arrival of Leicester ’s winter business, the Shakhtar Donetsk wideman became the first Brazilian to sign for the club. He certainly lived up to the billing after playing a key part in the Foxes’ first win since the World Cup - a 4-2 victory over Aston Villa.
His dribbling and pace certainly caught the eye before he topped off a brilliant performance with a debut goal. He latched onto an excellent through ball from Kelechi Iheanacho before rounding Emi Martinez to score.
Tete netted on his Premier League debut for Leicester (Getty Images)Harry Souttar - Leicester
Whilst Tete was celebrating a goal on his first Leicester outing, the same can be said for Australian centre-back Harry Souttar. Unfortunately for the former Stoke star, it was in the wrong net.
In attempting to cut out an Ollie Watkins cross, the centre-back diverted the ball beyond Danny Ward and into the net. Fortunately, he recovered to produce a solid enough display to earn victory on his first Premier League appearance.
Victor Kristiansen - Leicester
The last of a trio of Leicester players making their league debut for the club, the Danish left-back completed a £17m move from Copenhagen earlier in the window. He had already made his first appearance for the Foxes in an FA Cup win over Walsall but his appearance at Villa Park was his Premier League bow.
After being given a testing opening few minutes by Leon Bailey, the 20-year-old soon got to grips with things though and turned in an accomplished showing.
Jhon Duran - Aston Villa
An arrival from Chicago Fire, the Colombian striker was expected to be one for the future but following the sale of Danny Ings was immediately thrust into Premier League action. His debut came in somewhat tough circumstances with Villa already 4-2 down to Leicester before he was introduced in place of Bailey.
Consequently, he struggled to make too much of an impression.
Anthony Gordon - Newcastle
One of the more expensive players to have been on the move, Gordon quit boyhood club Everton for Newcastle as the Magpies continued their Saudi-backed spending. Whilst he could not mark his debut with a goal in what was a frustrating 1-1 draw with West Ham, he did show some bright ideas.
He could even have played a role in a winning goal having produced an exquisite pass for Callum Wilson. The striker could not convert though following a brilliant block by Nayef Aguerd.
Anthony Gordon made his Newcastle debut vs West Ham (Getty Images)Keylor Navas - Nottingham Forest
One of the latest deadline day signings, the Costa Rican goalkeeper put pen to paper on a loan deal from Paris Saint-Germain after regular number one Dean Henderson was struck down with injury.
He could not have enjoyed a better first outing for Forest after playing a key role in a 1-0 win over Leeds. The veteran stopper produced a total of four saves throughout the game.
Andre Ayew - Nottingham Forest
Another of the vast array of players to arrive at the City Ground this season, the former West Ham and Swansea star was signed on a free transfer following his exit from Al-Sadd.
The 33-year-old started on the bench and was afforded just one minute of action as the Reds closed out their slender win against Leeds.
Weston McKennie - Leeds
Like Ayew, American midfielder McKennie started on the bench for his new side at the City Ground. The loanee was introduced by Jesse Marsch with over half an hour remaining.
However, he could not play a role in his side coming back from behind and the Whites will now be left nervously glancing over their shoulder over the coming weeks.
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
