It’s a new season, there are new managers and there’s a new ball. Some of the players are new to the league, whilst others have signed from domestic rivals. Let’s have a look at how some of this summer’s biggest transfers got on in their first game.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic
He’s taken to the Premier League like a duck to water and scored the third goal in Manchester United’s victory over Bournemouth. This follows from his goal in the Community Shield and he didn’t disappoint in his Premier League debut. 7/10
John Stones
It’s already clear to see how Guardiola wants Stones to play for Manchester City and the defender looked assure with the ball. He was solid in the first half, but he can be accused for being overenthusiastic in the second and was culpable for the Sunderland goal. Not a bad start overall though. 6/10
N’Golo Kante
Kante looks ideally suited to Antonio Conte’s style of play which involves a lot of running. He picked up a yellow card on the third minute of the game and could arguably have been sent off later on in the match. 6/10
Eric Bailly
Bailly put in a man of the match performance against Bournemouth and he doesn’t look afraid to make a tackle. He was composed and seemed far more mature than a man playing in just his 41st career match. 9/10
Ahmed Musa
Musa was one of the few bright sparks in Leicester’s defeat to Hull at the weekend. He set up Jamie Vardy twice and made more key passes than anyone else on the pitch. He didn’t find the back of the net, but he could easily find it against Arsenal next weekend. 6/10
Sadio Mane
Mane scored one of the best goals of the opening weekend of Premier League action. He fits Jurgen Klopp’s style of play perfectly, making tackles and regaining possession quickly, on top of terrorising the Arsenal defence. 9/10
