Top 5: Premier League 2019/20 opening weekend debuts

With the headlines full of VAR debates, questionable goalkeeping and brilliant debuts, last weekend pointed to only one thing: THE RETURN OF THE PREMIER LEAGUE.

Twenty-seven goals, one red card and over 40 VAR reviews, this opening weekend certainly delivered in drama.

Expected title-rivals Manchester City and Liverpool both will be hoping they set the tone for the rest of the season with emphatic defeats respectively, whereas Chelsea were on the receiving end of a thumping as they fell victim to a counter-attacking masterclass at the hands of Manchester United.

Amongst all those impressive displays, football fans around the world will have been familiarising themselves with some league debutants who graced the field of the best league in the world for the very first time this weekend.

In this article we will be earmarking the best five league debutants who showcased why they deserved to be playing on the most impressive, yet career-defining, stage of all.

Rodri (Manchester City)

Sixty-two million pound midfielder Rodri showcased why he justified the hefty price tag with a composed and confident display in the heart of the Manchester City midfield. The Spaniard naturally fitted into the central defensive midfielder role, sitting behind the playmaking partnership of David Silva and Kevin de Bruyne, breaking down West Ham attacks and shifting his side on to the front foot regularly. The Citizens are renowned for their fast-passed, counter-attacking football so it was clear to see why the 23-year-old headed Pep Guardiola’s shopping list over the summer.

With Fernandinho aging, now 34, it was only logical for the Etihad Stadium outfit to look for a successor to fill the defensive-operating midfielder, a role which requires heaps of energy and speed. After this performance from Rodri, it would be very surprising to not see the former Athletico Madrid man feature week-in, week-out.

Neal Maupay (Brighton and Hove Albion)

The Seagulls begun life under Graham Potter in impressive style, beating Watford 3-0 away from home. Amongst the goalscorers was newly-signed striker Neal Maupay, formerly of Brentford. The Frenchman came on in the 64th minute and was on the scoresheet just 13 minutes later. The 22-year-old latched onto a piercing through ball from captain Lewis Dunk before rounding the keeper and slotting in from a tight angle.

The £20million signing showed that his speed, high-pressing ability and calmness in front of goal justified the significant fee the Sussex-side paid in their third season in the Premier League. We can expect to see Maupay featuring regularly this season, potentially as a centre forward or as a winger, with ex-Swansea manager Potter known for being fond of having his attacking three (expected to be Leandro Trossard, Jurgen Locadia and Maupay) rotating throughout 90 minutes.

John McGinn (Aston Villa)

Newly-promoted side Aston Villa were left feeling robbed and crushed after three goals in 17 minutes meant that Dean Smith’s side threw away a 1-0 lead against Tottenham Hotspur on their return to the Premier League after a three-year break. However, the Villans had a lot of positives to take away from the tie against the Champions League 2019 runners-up, including the display of creative midfielder John McGinn.

The Scotsman scored early on for Villa with a brilliant piece of skill before cutting inside of Danny Rose and drilling past Hugo Lloris. The former Hibernian midfielder provided creativity and flair for Villa, often receiving the ball on the half-turn ready to spray the ball out wide to his on-rushing wingers and fullbacks. But despite often being praised for what he provides offensively, McGinn also showed that his defensive work-rate deserved credit, especially when tracking back to compete against Harry Winks and Tanguy Ndombele.

Tanguy Ddombele (Tottenham Hotspur)

Ndombele was electric in the centre of the park for Spurs after his £55million move from Lyon. The 22-year-old scored the equalising the goal for Tottenham with a sweet strike outside the box to open his account for the North London side.

The centre-midfielder worked extremely hard in a box-to-box role, which showed the Spurs faithful that he is a tough-tackler in his own half as well as a capable forward-thinking midfielder when on the attack. The Frenchman possesses supreme passing ability, being able to cut defences in half with perfectly-weighted passes to on-rushing wingers, as well as being able to spray a perfect across-the-field switch to the feet of a teammate. These two attributes matched with his striking ability, defensive talent and credible work ethic makes Ndombele a frightening midfielder for opposing sides.

Teemu Pukki (Norwich City)

On face value, a 4-1 loss to Liverpool in the opening game of the season looks disappointing, but Norwich fans should not be disgruntled after their striking display at Anfield. It was a questionable decision for manager Daniel Farke to instruct his side to play a high press against the Champions of Europe and try and dominate possession, but as the tie went on and tactics changed, the Canaries shone.

A standout performer for the East Anglia side was centre-forward Teemu Pukki. The Finland international was brilliant both on and off the ball for Norwich, pulling the often-reliable partnership of Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez into positions no centre-back wants to be. The former Celtic striker scored the consolation goal for Farke’s men as he dashed into the space behind the defence and slotted past Adrian.

With intelligent movement, sharp finishing and notable game management ability to his name, Pukki will be pivotal for Norwich if they are to survive the drop this season.