In this article, we will be discussing the Top 3 new signings who impressed during the first weekend of Premier League action.
Naby Keita
Naby Keita was one of Liverpool’s best players as the Reds registered a thumping 4:0 victory over West Ham United.
A €60 million signing from RB Leipzig, Keita was awarded way too much space by the Hammers and the Guinea international took full advantage, often making marauding runs into the heart of the opposition defence.
He was initially installed as a ball-carrier in midfield while the duo of Georginio Wijnaldum and James Milner kept things settled in midfield. Keita’s excellent close control and ball carrying qualities meant Liverpool enjoyed a smooth transition from defence to offence.
He completed two dribbles, one tackle and made one key pass. He also attempted 68 passes with a stunning accuracy of 88%, which is an excellent ratio for a player operating in half-spaces for the most period of the game.
However, he will be keen on maintaining his consistency, knowing there will be tougher challenges awaiting him as the season goes on.
Jorginho
Jorginho enjoyed an excellent debut as Chelsea kickstarted the Maurizio Sarri era with an emphatic win over Huddersfield Town.
The Italian midfielder was deployed alongside N’Golo Kante and Ross Barkley in a three-man midfield. Although Kante enjoyed a relatively better outing, Jorginho was a lynchpin in the middle, often becoming the brain of the operation with his pin-point passing and creativity.
In fact, he attempted 66 passes with a stunning accuracy of 94%, more than anyone else on the pitch. He also won one aerial duel and two tackles.
It was almost as if the game revolved around the former Napoli midfielder, who knows Sarri’s tactical philosophy better than anyone else in the current crop of Chelsea players. As a result, the 26-year-old is having no trouble transitioning into an entirely different league and fans will hope he can maintain his consistency throughout the course of the season.
Richarlison
The only automatic pick on this list, Richarlison enjoyed a stunning debut as he scored both of Everton’s goals in a thrilling 2:2 draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The Brazilian record signing started the game rather slowly despite scoring early on but improved as the game wore on, ultimately enjoying a fantastic second half that saw him running rings around the Wolves defence.
Richarlison was a constant threat to the opposition from the wider position, often making driving runs into the heart of Wolves’ defence. His physical prowess also made it difficult for the defenders to mark him tightly, as he won five aerials duels and made three tackles.
His strikes included a scrappy goal in the first half followed by a brilliant finish to restore Everton’s one-goal lead later in the second half. And despite conceding a late goal, Evertonians will be pleased as punch with Richarlison’s debut outing.
Stats Courtesy: Whoscored
