4 Of The Best Premier League Debuts Last Weekend
The Premier League kicked off again last weekend and, as usual, there were many players making their competitive bows for their new clubs.
Premier League clubs have been extremely active so far in this summer transfer window, spending upwards of £800 million with still over a week to go.
Here TNC takes a look at the 5 best performances by new signings on the Premier League’s opening weekend:
Sadio Mane, Liverpool
The latest Southampton player to make the move from the south coast to the red half of Merseyside, Sadio Mane is possibly the most exciting of the lot. He arrives for a fee worth an initial £34 million with add-ons potentially making him Liverpool’s most expensive signing ever.
The Senegal international exhibited no sign of being fazed by the pressure that comes with such a high price tag, as the winger took the game to Arsenal from minute one.
His pace and directness posed a constant problem to not only Arsenal’s left-back, but also their young central defenders with his tendency to drift inside to support Roberto Firmino and open space for the ever-willing Nathaniel Clyne. He attempted 6 take-ons, completing 4 of them, more than anyone else on the pitch, according to Squawka.
Twitter: Sadio Mané was fouled 6 times against Arsenal, the most in the Premier League this weekend.
https://t.co/LMuowBLHsY (@Squawka)
YouTube: Sadio Mane goal vs Arsenal|2016-2017|
Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Manchester united
Ibrahimovic was always going to impress on his debut, that’s what he does. The Swede continued his impressive record of scoring on his debut in almost every league he has competed in so far in his career with a crisp long-range effort against Bournemouth.
Twitter: Ibrahimovic likes making an impact – he’s now scored on his #PL, Serie A, La Liga, Ligue 1 & Champions League debuts https://t.co/YUhUBQNLL1 (@premierleague)
YouTube: Zlatan Ibrahimovic amazing goal against Bournemouth ( Manchester United against Bournemouth )
Despite his astronomical wages and advanced age, getting Zlatan Ibrahimovic on a free transfer from PSG could prove to be one of the coups of the transfer window, especially if he continues to perform as he did against Bournemouth.
Eric Bailly, Manchester united
It takes a brave man to try and outshine Zlatan Ibrahimovic on his debut, but Eric Bailly certainly managed that with a dominant display against Bournemouth on the opening weekend.
The 22-year-old Ivorian, signed from Villareal this summer for £30 million, seems to be unfazed by anything placed in front of him. Unfazed by his price tag, unfazed by the fact that this is only his third season of top-flight football, unfazed by the Premier League in general.
The defender was a titan at the back for United, making 11 defensive actions including 7 clearances. But he also showed composure beyond his years with the ball at his feet, completing a staggering 93% of his attempted passes during the game and was deservedly given the Man of the Match award, no matter how bemused Ibrahimovic and Rooney were by it.
YouTube: And the Premiere League man of the match award goes to…
Idrissa Gueye, Everton
One of two new signings to start Everton’s opening game of the season, Idrissa Gueye put in a N’Golo Kante-esque display to help Everton to secure a 1-1 draw with Tottenham Hotspur.
The £7 million signing from Aston Villa was asked to get through a lot of work in the centre of midfield, with Everton playing a 3-4-2-1 system in Koeman’s first game in charge, especially because he was partnered with the fairly immobile Gareth Barry in the Engine room.
Gueye performed exceptionally, covering every blade of grass on the pitch and making a mammoth 10 defensive actions, including winning 5 tackles, more than any other player on the pitch and the second highest number of any player in the league this weekend.
Twitter: Most tackles won this weekend:
Oscar (6)
Wilfried Zaha (6)
Idrissa Gueye (5)
Donald Love (5)
Andros Townsend (5) https://t.co/kfG7JXjL92 (@Squawka)