Top 5: The Most Memorable Debuts In Premier League History – The Good, The Bad And The Ugly
Over the years the Premier League has seen a lot of debuts, naturally. Some have been for big money signings while others have been far less inconsequential. Whilst a few have been memorable for the right reasons, there have been a few that were not as successful as we will now see.
Joe Cole for Liverpool vs Arsenal
Joe Cole under Jose Mourinho at Chelsea was arguably one of the best English wingers in the Premier League. His form was second to almost none but unfortunately injuries proved to be his downfall and a loss of form saw him end up at Liverpool.
It was hopeful that a fresh start would reignite his career but it didn’t get off to best of starts. A two footed lunge on the stroke of half time saw him earn a straight red card and miss the next three games and it didn’t get much better after that. Numerous loan spells have seen Cole end up back at West Ham playing with Andy Carroll – some would say that’s his biggest punishment of the lot.
Alan Smith for Leeds vs Liverpool
The young 18-year-old, Alan Smith, had been sounded out as a special talent and he did not disappoint on his debut. A goal with his very first touch was the stuff of dreams for Smith as Leeds went onto to beat Liverpool 3-1. Smith would later go on to join Manchester United but a series of injuries affected his time there as he slowly moved down the ladder joining Newcastle and now turning out for MK Dons.
Fabrizio Ravenelli for Middlesbrough vs Liverpool
A lot was expected from the Italian when he joined Middlesbrough in 1996. The £7 million signing made an instant impact scoring a scintillating hat-trick on his first game, earning a 3-3 draw against Liverpool for his side and went onto score 16 goals that season. Despite his goals, Boro would be relegated and following constant criticism of the club facilities and the town itself, he was shipped off back to Italy.
Thanks for coming Rav.
Tomas Repka for West Ham vs Middlesbrough
Tomas Repka joined West Ham from Fiorentina in 2001 and would be a faithful servant for the Hammers, playing over 150 games for the club. But life at Upton Part didn’t turn out quite how he would’ve liked. Sent off in his first game for two yellow cards, he would miss the next game before also being sent off in this third game. I’d like to say his discipline improved but, I’d be lying. Nevertheless the versatile Czech went on to become an important player for the Hammers.
Jurgen Klinsmann for Tottenham vs Sheffield Wednesday
The German star arrived at White Hart Lane in 1994 with a big reputation for not only scoring goals, but for diving as well. His Spurs career started perfectly though, with a debut goal against Sheffield Wednesday in which he then brought out a mocking diving celebration that thrilled the Spurs fans.
One journalist who had written an article named ‘why I hate Klinsmann’ later wrote one named ‘why I love Klinsmann’ showing he had immediately won over fans in England. He scored 21 goals in his first season but moved to Bayern Munich immediately after before scoring nine in 15 games, returning for a final swansong season at White Hart Lane.
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