Six Premier League summer signings who impressed this weekend

Several summer signings have made an immediate impact at their new clubs and we’ve picked out six of the Premier League’s recent recruits who shone this weekend.

Six Premier League summer signings who impressed this weekend

Savinho

After an eye-catching debut at Chelsea on the opening weekend, Savinho showcased what he will bring to Manchester City this season during an exhilarating home bow.

The Brazilian was a real livewire and skipped around Leif Davis to win a penalty for City’s equaliser against Ipswich before his pressing forced the mistake from Arijanet Muric for the second. Throughout, he tormented Ipswich with explosive changes of acceleration, creating two chances and winning 7/9 ground duels. The 20-year-old looks like a star in the making after an electric start to life in the Premier League.

How good was Savinho’s home debut? 🪄 pic.twitter.com/lHejFHFE7A

— Manchester City (@ManCity) August 24, 2024

Sammie Szmodics

Ipswich Town endured a tough afternoon at the Etihad as The Tractor Boys lost 4-1 to the champions. The bright spark for Kieran McKenna’s side, however, was Sammie Szmodics who marked his full debut with the club’s first top-flight goal for 22 years.

Szmodics won the Championship’s Golden Boot in a struggling Blackburn Rovers team last season and showcased his instincts with a fine run in behind the Citizens’ defence to open the scoring.

First premier league goal. Thanks for the amazing support throughout. Lessons to be learnt and positives to build on @IpswichTown 💙 pic.twitter.com/RGtZtCfA11

— Sam Szmodics (@SamSzmodics) August 25, 2024

Timed to perfection, his finish had just enough to creep past Ederson and open his Premier League account. His goal aside, the 28-year-old worked tirelessly out of possession and will take real confidence from this performance despite defeat. The 28-year-old will be desperate to prove he can cut it at the top level.

Nikola Milenkovic

Nottingham Forest have the foundation to build upon at the back this season with a central defensive pairing of Murillo and Nikola Milenkovic full of promise.

The latter has reached three cup finals across the last two seasons at Fiorentina and looks a snip at the £12m fee. Having been perennially linked with the Premier League in recent campaigns, the 26-year-old represents a coup for Forest and made his presence felt on debut this weekend.

A fantastic #NFFC debut for Nikola Milenkovic – a real rock at the back and unlucky to not score his first goal for the club too.

He defended the box very well, but also ensured Forest pushed up out of possession. pic.twitter.com/DWIw8UFydG

— WT Analysis (@wt_analysis) August 24, 2024

Milenkovic defended his box superbly as Nuno Espirito Santo’s side earned a hard-fought 1-0 win at Southampton, with the 6ft 5in defender winning 100% of his aerial duels (3/3) and coming agonisingly close to scoring. No defender won a higher percentage of their aerial duels than Milenkovic (79.1%) in Serie A last season. That could be invaluable to Forest this season.

Wilson Odobert

A lively debut from the new recruit, who offered Spurs a new dynamic against Everton. Odobert’s final pass was lacking on occasion but his desire to take on defenders, jinking runs and electric give-and-goes injected life into Ange Postecoglou’s attack.

The 20-year-old led the contest for dribbles (7), had the most touches in the opposition box (7), and contested more duels (14) than any other Spurs player during the 4-0 win over Sean Dyche’s side. His six duels won was also a joint-high.

Promising.

Wilson Odobert attempted more take-ons and contested more duels than any other Tottenham player against Everton.

Big Ange finally has the dribbly winger he has been after. ⚡

— Squawka (@Squawka) August 25, 2024

Joao Felix

Joao Felix returned to Chelsea this week with some sceptical about the £45m signing of a forward who underwhelmed on loan in West London in 2022/23. The Portugal international wasted no time in sending a message to those doubters, however, as he marked his second debut for the club with a goal at Wolves.

Off the bench, Felix took his goal brilliantly with an emphatic finish from Pedro Neto’s cut-back as Chelsea’s Portuguese pair combined on the counter. The 24-year-old looked right at home in Enzo Maresca’s team in an encouraging first performance.

🗓️ 12 Jan 2023: Joao Felix is sent off on his Chelsea debut 🔴
🗓️ 25 Aug 2024: Joao Felix scores on his second Chelsea debut after just 12 minutes ⚽️

Making his mark 🔵🇵🇹 pic.twitter.com/3dHFtSvUPp

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) August 25, 2024

Emile Smith Rowe

After a challenging period at Arsenal, it’s refreshing to see Emile Smith Rowe enjoying his football at Fulham.

The club-record recruit decided on a new test after struggling for football at the Emirates and is quickly becoming a favourite at Craven Cottage. Smith Rowe marked his home debut with a goal in the 2-1 win over Fulham, as he raced in from the left and finished confidently to open the scoring in West London.

Cool as you like. ❄️ pic.twitter.com/4tTo4evY7w

— Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) August 25, 2024

It was a first Premier League goal for two-and-a-half years for the 24-year-old and could be the launchpad his career needs. A wonderful talent, it was a sweet moment in a man-of-the-match performance from Smith Rowe.

Read – Five things we learned from the Premier League weekend

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