Analysis: How did the PL’s latest recruits make their debut?

This weekend’s round of Premier League action saw a number of newly transferred players make their debuts for their new sides. Whilst many of the deadline day signings will have to wait a week to feature for their new sides, here’s our assessment of the first outings of seven of the division’s movers.

Good Debut

William Kvist (40)

Whilst Fulham were, by all accounts, pretty poor in their 3-0 home defeat to Southampton, Kvist did provide one bright spark amid a bleak team performance. The midfielder, on loan from Stuttgart, scored the highest Squawka Performance Score of any Fulham player.

Kvist impressed in the holding midfield role for Fulham, before noticeably growing tired in the second half. He made six interceptions during the game, more than any other player on the pitch. The Denmark international also won two headed duels, made two tackles and four clearances.

He finished the game with a pass accuracy of 67%; a figure that would have been higher but for a number of failed attempts to spark an attack with a long ball forward.

Kenwyne Jones (34)

One game, one goal – encouraging so far for Kenwyne Jones at Cardiff. The big striker scored Cardiff’s winger against Norwich City, to provide the day’s only debut goal.

Jones also proved imperious in the air, winning six of the ten headed duels that he contested. He also – for now at least – allayed fears over his work ethic with an impressive eight defensive actions, six of which were clearances.

Luuk De Jong (27)

A half time substitute during Newcastle’s derby defeat to Sunderland, De Jong posted a performance score of 27. The Dutch international striker completed all of his attempted passes and also won two headed duels. Whilst he didn’t score, De Jong took four shots at goal, three of which hit the target.

Wilfried Zaha (11)

Cardiff’s on-loan Manchester United winger started the game on the bench, but took the game by the scruff of the neck upon his introduction. He set up Craig Bellamy for Cardiff’s equalising goal and was bright throughout.

Zaha set up two chances for Cardiff, one with a cross and one with a key pass. None of his teammates created more, whilst Zaha also made two tackles and ended the game with a pass accuracy of 92%.

Bad Debuts

Liam Bridcutt (-6)

Ok, so this one is harsh. Thrust into the intensity of a Tyne-Weir derby, and in a central midfield position to boot, Bridcutt was solid in his opening match for Sunderland. Typically for a derby, the match was not one for football purists, and left Bridcutt’s pass completion rate at a lowly 74%. Elsewhere in the Sunderland midfield, Ki secured a pass accuracy of 97%.

Playing in front of the back four Bridcutt attempted four tackles, but won the ball with just one of them. An okay debut, but definitely room for improvement.

Lewis Holtby (-16)

The exciting midfielder will undoubtedly prove a shrewd addition for Fulham, but his debut was nothing to write home about. The on-loan winger registered a performance score of -16, largely due to a sloppy second half performance. Given the score, Fulham’s problem was in defence rather than attack, and Holtby was largely starved of service.

However, he will be looking to improve upon this performance during the coming weeks. Holtby registered a pass accuracy of just 58% – the lowest of any outfield Fulham player – and completed just one of the four take ons that he attempted.

Fabio (-32)

Despite his side winning, Cardiff defender Fabio has room for improvement upon his debut. He scored the lowest performance score of any Cardiff player before being substituted. The former Manchester United defender attempted four tackles, but failed to make a single one of them, whilst he made the fewest defensive actions of any of the Cardiff defence.