Manchester City 3-0 West Brom: 5 Talking Points

#3 Aymeric Laporte makes surprisingly early, but impressive debut

The club's most expensive player didn't take long to settle in

Newest and most expensive recruit - Aymeric Laporte wasn't expected to make the first team. A few would've wanted to see him on the bench at the very least, but you could've brushed them aside as optimist fans.

However, in a surprising turn of events, after just a single training session with the club, held the previous day, the 23-year-old was thrust out into the open, as Pep Guardiola astonishingly named the Frenchman in the starting 11.

All eyes were on Laporte as he took his place alongside Nicolas Otamendi at the heart of a back 4, and the centre-back didn't disappoint. While this is not the toughest test by any means, the pressure of having to ease into the game and tempo of the Premier League is what was expected to unnerve Laporte.

Contrary to expectations though, the centre-back fit right in and hit the ground running. Among all 4 centre-backs playing in the game, Laporte seemingly had the most influence of proceedings, not just at the back, but while going forward as well.

The former Athletic Bilbao star made a total of 76 passes, as compared to Otamendi's 69, Gareth McAuley's 10 and Ahmed Hegazi's 30. That's not even the most impressive bit. What's most notable, is that his 76 passes came with a mind-blowing accuracy of 95%.

While not a lot of players well-versed with the league can themselves manage that, it truly is astounding for a 23-year old from La Liga to blend right in so effortlessly in a league that's widely touted to be the toughest.

Again, it was, by no means, the toughest test for young Laporte, but the little teaser-trailer that last night's game was, surely has indulged us into expecting something special from City's club-record signee.