Premier League Debutantes Report Card

All three debutantes were high-profile mid-season transfers. All three impacted their games, and we have some grades to deliver after their first performance.

Romain Esse

Romain Esse made a storybook start to his Premier League career, scoring in his first 30 seconds on the pitch and first touch on the ball. The 19-year old Millwall academy graduate had just transferred across the Thames to Crystal Palace on January 18th, and wasted no time in making his mark. Down two goals to Brentford at Selhurst Park, his substitution had a whiff of “what can we lose?” about it. Seconds later a Daniel Muñoz fired a cross over the face of goal. Esse, lurking unmarked on the back post, slotted it home off the post. The Eagles lost 2-1, but what a welcome for Romain Joy Kouakou Esse!

• From: Millwall (Championship)

• Cost: undisclosed (rumored to be $14.9M with add-ons)

• Minutes played: 17 (came on for Will Hughes)

• Debutante Grade: A+

Abdukodir Khusanov

It was a very different start for Manchester City defender Abdukodir Khusanov. Within three minutes, two egregious errors by Khusanov had given Chelsea the lead. In the next minute he earned a yellow after stabbing into Cole Palmer. Four of his first five passes were intercepted or incomplete. Teammates avoided passing to him. But when you’re down the only way is up; “up” in this case staunching the blood flow. Khusanov settled, blocked a Jadon Sancho shot from close range, and his more experienced City teammates rallied to his aid by muscling the game back and drawing level just before halftime.

• From: Lens (Ligue 1)

• Cost: $42M

• Minutes played: 54 (replaced by John Stones)

• Debutante Grade: D-

Omar Marmoush

In between the fairy tale and the horror show was the start by Egyptian winger Omar Marmoush. His pace was blistering, as evinced by the three offsides calls against him, one of which nullified a goal. But he looks to be sharp business and will be one to watch in the latter half of the season, provided he can stay behind the defenders.

• From: Eintracht Frankfurt (Bundesliga)

• Cost: $78.5M

• Minutes played: 74 (replaced by Kevin de Bruyne)

• Debutante Grade: C

https://twitter.com/OmariMarmoush/status/1883250509265719601