• Harry Maguire: Looked like he had spent years playing in Manchester United’s back four as they beat Chelsea 4-0. Certainly an upgrade on Phil Jones and Chris Smalling on this showing. Getty Images
    Harry Maguire: Looked like he had spent years playing in Manchester United’s back four as they beat Chelsea 4-0. Certainly an upgrade on Phil Jones and Chris Smalling on this showing. Getty Images
  • Christian Pulisic: Swimming against the tide as United eased to victory. Chelsea’s £58m signing came on after 58 minutes and manager Frank Lampard said: "It was one of those games where I felt it was better to start with Ross [Barkley] and Mason [Mount], who have been very strong in pre-season, and bring Christian on.” He added that Pulisic showed “little moments with his acceleration on the ball”. Reuters
    Christian Pulisic: Swimming against the tide as United eased to victory. Chelsea’s £58m signing came on after 58 minutes and manager Frank Lampard said: "It was one of those games where I felt it was better to start with Ross [Barkley] and Mason [Mount], who have been very strong in pre-season, and bring Christian on.” He added that Pulisic showed “little moments with his acceleration on the ball”. Reuters
  • Daniel James: The perfect introduction for the signing from Swansea as he scored United’s fourth goal just seven minutes after coming on. Getty Images
    Daniel James: The perfect introduction for the signing from Swansea as he scored United’s fourth goal just seven minutes after coming on. Getty Images
  • Aaron Wan-Bissaka: Hugely impressive debut in Manchester United’s 4-0 win. His all-action defending has endeared him to home fans already. AFP
    Aaron Wan-Bissaka: Hugely impressive debut in Manchester United’s 4-0 win. His all-action defending has endeared him to home fans already. AFP
  • David Luiz: Left on the Arsenal bench after joining from Chelsea. PA Wire
    David Luiz: Left on the Arsenal bench after joining from Chelsea. PA Wire
  • Dani Ceballos: The loan signing from Real Madrid started on the Arsenal bench before coming on in the 64th minute and helped see the game out. Action Images via Reuters
    Dani Ceballos: The loan signing from Real Madrid started on the Arsenal bench before coming on in the 64th minute and helped see the game out. Action Images via Reuters
  • Pepe: Like Ceballos, Arsenal’s record signing was held back and only played the last 20 minutes. Getty Images
    Pepe: Like Ceballos, Arsenal’s record signing was held back and only played the last 20 minutes. Getty Images
  • Allan Saint-Maximin: The Frenchman excited Newcastle fans after entering the fray in the 67th minute. AFP
    Allan Saint-Maximin: The Frenchman excited Newcastle fans after entering the fray in the 67th minute. AFP
  • Joelinton: Newcastle’s record buy showed promise against Arsenal and almost scored but ended on the losing side. EPA
    Joelinton: Newcastle’s record buy showed promise against Arsenal and almost scored but ended on the losing side. EPA
  • Ayoze Perez: A quiet start for Leicester’s summer signing from Newcastle in the goal-less draw with Wolves. Was replaced after 76 minutes. AFP
    Ayoze Perez: A quiet start for Leicester’s summer signing from Newcastle in the goal-less draw with Wolves. Was replaced after 76 minutes. AFP
  • Tanguy Ndombele: The £63million midfielder was ‘fantastic’ according to Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino, scoring a lovely curling 20-yard strike as his side beat Aston Villa 3-1. Getty Images
    Tanguy Ndombele: The £63million midfielder was ‘fantastic’ according to Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino, scoring a lovely curling 20-yard strike as his side beat Aston Villa 3-1. Getty Images
  • Trezeguet: The Egyptian missed a chance to put Aston Villa 2-0 up before they capitulated against Tottenham. Was replaced after 59 minutes. Getty Images
    Trezeguet: The Egyptian missed a chance to put Aston Villa 2-0 up before they capitulated against Tottenham. Was replaced after 59 minutes. Getty Images
  • Wesley: No debut goal for the Villa striker signed from Brugge who was withdrawn after 74 minutes. Reuters
    Wesley: No debut goal for the Villa striker signed from Brugge who was withdrawn after 74 minutes. Reuters
  • Giovani Lo Celso and Ryan Sessegnon: Tottenham’s other new signings were paraded on the pitch but then watched from the stands. PA Wire
    Giovani Lo Celso and Ryan Sessegnon: Tottenham’s other new signings were paraded on the pitch but then watched from the stands. PA Wire
  • Neal Maupay: Dream start for the Brighton striker who came on after 64 minutes and took just 13 minutes to score his first goal since his £20m move from Brentford. Getty Images
    Neal Maupay: Dream start for the Brighton striker who came on after 64 minutes and took just 13 minutes to score his first goal since his £20m move from Brentford. Getty Images
  • Ismaila Sarr and Danny Welbeck: Watford’s new signings were not involved in the matchday squad as their side lost 3-0 at home to Brighton. PA Wire
    Ismaila Sarr and Danny Welbeck: Watford’s new signings were not involved in the matchday squad as their side lost 3-0 at home to Brighton. PA Wire
  • Moise Kean: The arrival from Juventus made little impact for Everton in blustery conditions at Palace after being introduced from the bench after 69 minutes. AFP
    Moise Kean: The arrival from Juventus made little impact for Everton in blustery conditions at Palace after being introduced from the bench after 69 minutes. AFP
  • Jean Philippe Gbamin: The Ivory Coast midfielder joined Everton from Mainz for £25m. He replaced the injured Andre Gomes after 45 minutes of the goal-less draw with Crystal Palace. Reuters
    Jean Philippe Gbamin: The Ivory Coast midfielder joined Everton from Mainz for £25m. He replaced the injured Andre Gomes after 45 minutes of the goal-less draw with Crystal Palace. Reuters
  • Che Adams: Lively start by Southampton’s £15m striker bought from Birmingham City. Taken off after 73 minutes as his side fell away. PA via AP
    Che Adams: Lively start by Southampton’s £15m striker bought from Birmingham City. Taken off after 73 minutes as his side fell away. PA via AP
  • Alex Iwobi: Not involved for Everton after his £35m move from Arsenal. EPA
    Alex Iwobi: Not involved for Everton after his £35m move from Arsenal. EPA
  • Erik Pieters: Two assists for the former Stoke City left back in Burnley’s 3-0 win over Southampton. Action Images via Reuters
    Erik Pieters: Two assists for the former Stoke City left back in Burnley’s 3-0 win over Southampton. Action Images via Reuters
  • Oliver McBurnie: Sheffield United’s £17.5m record signing came off the bench in the second half and was involved in the equaliser but was ultimately upstaged by veteran Billy Sharp who netted his first Premier League goal. Getty Images
    Oliver McBurnie: Sheffield United’s £17.5m record signing came off the bench in the second half and was involved in the equaliser but was ultimately upstaged by veteran Billy Sharp who netted his first Premier League goal. Getty Images
  • Philip Billing: Bournemouth’s £15m signing from Huddersfield impressed and played a part in his side’s goal in the 1-1 draw with Sheffield United. AFP
    Philip Billing: Bournemouth’s £15m signing from Huddersfield impressed and played a part in his side’s goal in the 1-1 draw with Sheffield United. AFP
  • Sebastien Haller: The £45million man held the ball up well as West Ham looked the part early on against Manchester City before being steamrolled 5-0. AP Photo
    Sebastien Haller: The £45million man held the ball up well as West Ham looked the part early on against Manchester City before being steamrolled 5-0. AP Photo
  • Joao Cancelo: An unused substitute as Manchester City eased to victory in their opening match. Action Images via Reuters
    Joao Cancelo: An unused substitute as Manchester City eased to victory in their opening match. Action Images via Reuters
  • Rodri: Fitted in to Manchester City’s midfield seamlessly with effective tackling and passing while those around him did the work in front of goal. Reuters
    Rodri: Fitted in to Manchester City’s midfield seamlessly with effective tackling and passing while those around him did the work in front of goal. Reuters
  • Pablo Fornals: The £24m signing from Villarreal started on the West Ham bench but was brought on at half-time. Four second half goals for Man City was no reflection on him, and he will have easier days in the Premier League. Reuters
    Pablo Fornals: The £24m signing from Villarreal started on the West Ham bench but was brought on at half-time. Four second half goals for Man City was no reflection on him, and he will have easier days in the Premier League. Reuters

Football

Harry Maguire, Christian Pulisic and Dani Ceballos: How the Premier League summer signings fared on debut

Left on the bench or instant star man? We run the rule over the players who made their first appearance as the new season kicked off

Ian Oxborrow
Ian Oxborrow

August 12, 2019

  • English
  • Arabic

New season, new faces, same old problems?

Certainly not for Manchester United after their summer makeover, but for others, such as Newcastle, money spent hasn't instantly turned into three points.

It was a joyous welcome to his new colours for the world's most expensive defender, Harry Maguire, but for other expensive additions around the Premier League it was a rather more underwhelming introduction.

Check out the slideshow above to see how the big summer signings fared on their debut.

FootballSport