Premier League new signings: Ten hits from the opening weekend
Thursday 13 August 2015 10:36, UK
We look at 10 new transfer signings who starred on the Premier League opening weekend...
Sergio Romero, Manchester United
A late replacement for the dropped David de Gea and without a minute of pre-season football with his new team-mates to his name, Sergio Romero produced a fine Old Trafford debut in Manchester United’s 1-0 win over Tottenham. The Argentina international pulled off several impressive saves - particularly late on to twice keep out Christian Eriksen efforts.
Man Utd’s Chris Smalling told MUTV: "Sergio looked the part. He came out and commanded his box, which is what you want behind you as a defender because, when you've got a goalkeeper who comes out with that presence, it mops up a lot of the danger."
Rudy Gestede, Aston Villa
Super sub Rudy Gestede stepped off the bench to head Aston Villa to an opening day win over Bournemouth - and scooped the man of the match prize in the process. Since the start of 2013/14, Gestede has scored 20 headed goals; five more than anyone else in the top four tiers. The former Blackburn forward repaid Tim Sherwood’s faith in him with a powerful finish on Saturday.
Sky Sports pundit Alan Curbishley says: "Gestede really impressed me. It was a really big three points for Villa - even though it was only against newly promoted Bournemouth. I think Sherwood has done a good bit of business there, I'm surprised there weren't other people looking at that deal for Gestede."
Yohan Cabaye, Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace’s capture of Yohan Cabaye looked to be one of the coups of the transfer window - and the former PSG midfielder showed his class on his debut for the Eagles. An injury-time goal added gloss to victory at Norwich and a man of the match prize highlighted his all-round contribution. "I wanted to start well because it is a new season with my new team, especially as last season wasn't simple for me," he said afterwards.
Crystal Palace boss Alan Pardew says: "I thought he took his goal brilliantly and that shows when the moment arrives for Yohan he delivers. Some of his set plays were terrific. His fitness and his strength will come."
Matteo Darmian, Manchester United
Cramp may have forced Italy international Matteo Darmian from the field with 10 minutes left to play of the win over Spurs, but by then Manchester United’s summer signing from Torino had already shown his class. The full-back looks set to be Louis van Gaal’s first-choice throughout the season and not only snuffed out Tottenham attacks but also linked up well with Juan Mata when United had the ball.
Opta stat: When Darmian was substituted he had made more clearances (five) than any other United player.
Georginio Wijnaldum, Newcastle United
Georginio Wijnaldum captained PSV to the Dutch title last season and showed his quality with a superb headed finish against Southampton on his Premier League debut. A Shane Long equaliser denied the Netherlands international a winner on his first St James' Park appearance but the 24-year-old will excite the Toon Army this term.
Newcastle boss Steve McClaren says: "Wijnaldum was excellent. He has joined us late but for 70 minutes he was very, very good, and scored a great goal."
Dimitri Payet, West Ham United
Only Kevin De Bruyne (20) registered more assists than Dimitri Payet (18) in Europe’s top five leagues last season and the West Ham new boy was straight off the mark for the 2015/16 season with a superb whipped free-kick for Cheikhou Kouyate’s opener against Arsenal as the Hammers notched an unexpected win.
Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher says: "Payet created the first goal and they look like they’ve got a player there - albeit on the evidence of one game. Sometimes you worry about foreign players coming into this league and whether they’ll be able to withstand the physical side of it. But people were bouncing off him when he was running with the ball. He had power and strength and looks ideally suited."
Morgan Schneiderlin, Manchester United
Aside from being caught on the ball by Mousa Dembele on 12 minutes, Morgan Schneiderlin shone on his Old Trafford debut, dominating the middle of the park alongside first Michael Carrick and then Bastian Schweinsteiger. The Frenchman stood firm during the final stages as Spurs surged forward in search of an equaliser.
Opta stat: No United player made more tackles (five) or more interceptions (three) than Schneiderlin against Tottenham.
Andre Ayew, Swansea City
Andre Ayew’s brother Jordan (now at Aston Villa) scored more goals in Ligue 1 last season but Swansea’s new striker showed excellent composure in front of goal against champions Chelsea on Saturday Night Football. Rather than snatch at his opportunity, Ayew produced a neat drag-back before slotting past Thibaut Courtois.
Sky Sports pundit Thierry Henry says: “If you see the picture before and know what you want to do you have time in the box. He’s clever, very clever."
Joe Gomez, Liverpool
A summer signing from Charlton, 18-year-old Joe Gomez was one of Liverpool’s more low-key transfers in the off-season. But his opening day display against Stoke showed the defender will be very much involved in first-team affairs this term. Gomez met the physical challenge of marking Jonathan Walters head-on and showed good skill on the ball. He can even claim an assist for Philippe Coutinho's wonderstrike.
Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher says: "Gomez has handled Walters – who is a nightmare to play against – very well. He’s looked very assured."
Shinji Okazaki, Leicester City
Shinji Okazaki may not have got among the goals during Leicester’s rout of Sunderland - he was denied a debut strike by Younes Kaboul late on - but the Japan international impressed nonetheless. Okazaki had the best passing accuracy (88 per cent) of any Leicester player and dovetailed with his strike partner Jamie Vardy commendably.
Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson says: Okazaki was very good. He hasn’t got the pace of Vardy, Jeffrey Schlupp or Riyad Mahrez but he always holds the ball up. Great touches, great vision. Very impressive and I thought he was different class. He’s not big - he’s actually quite little - but very good.
