The 10 best new signings during the opening Premier League weekend

Cameron Smith

• 20 Aug 2024 20:45 BST
• 5 min read

The opening weekend of the 2024-25 Premier League season saw many intriguing storylines play out.

New signings were at the fore, with several netting on their debuts and some enduring subpar performances.

Below, FootballTransfers runs through the 10 best new signings of the opening Premier League weekend, using FootballCritic’s match ratings.

READ MORE: Premier League summer transfers 2024 - All the Done Deals

10. Taylor Harwood-Bellis - 6.9 (Southampton)

Taylor Harwood-Bellis was on loan at Southampton last year, but he joined the club on a permanent deal this summer and therefore is eligible for inclusion.

The England U21 international was on the losing side against Newcastle, but he equipped himself well, completing the highest number of passes of any player (91) and making four recoveries.

READ MORE: The 10 most expensive Premier League transfers of all time

9. Dean Huijsen - 6.9 (Bournemouth)

Dean Huijsen arrived at Bournemouth with a burgeoning reputation from Italy and his start to life under Andoni Iraola was a success.

Huijsen won nine aerial duels against a physical Chris Wood and completed the most passes of any player (68).

8. Maximilian Kilman - 6.9 (West Ham)

Maximilian Kilman’s West Ham debut ended in defeat, but the Englishman performed admirably versus Aston Villa.

Kilman marshalled the Hammers’ backline well and was perhaps unfortunate to end up on the losing side.

7. Dominic Solanke - 6.9 (Tottenham)

Dominic Solanke missed several chances on his Tottenham Hotspur debut, but his all-round performance against Leicester City earned him a 6.9 Football Critic match rating.

The ex-Chelsea academy star completed three dribbles, registered three shots on target and won eight of his 10 attempted duels.

6. Joshua Zirkzee - 6.9 (Man Utd)

Joshua Zirkzee started on the bench against Fulham, but he came on to mark his Manchester United debut with a match-winning goal.

The Dutchman poked home Alejandro Garnacho’s cross to hand Man Utd all three points and seal a vital win in their opening game of the Premier League season.

5. Flynn Downes - 7.1 (Southampton)

Like Harwood-Bellis, Flynn Downes also spent last season on loan at Southampton, but he features in this list after the deal was made permanent for just under €20m.

Despite their 1-0 loss to Newcastle, Downes shone for Southampton, completing 89 passes with a 93% accuracy and amassing the most touches of any player (103).

4. Noussair Mazraoui - 7.4 (Man Utd)

Noussair Mazraoui’s Manchester United debut was sublime. The Moroccan had only been at the club for a matter of days, but he stepped up with a great display versus Fulham.

Mazraoui was aggressive off the ball and composed in possession, earning a 7.4 FootballCritic rating after winning over 85% of his duels. He also helped the Red Devils keep a vital clean sheet.

3. Mats Wieffer - 7.7 (Brighton)

Brighton & Hove Albion have spent big this summer and the addition of Mats Wieffer was a real coup.

The Dutchman is a Champions League level central midfielder and he proved that during the Seagulls’ 3-0 win over Everton, amassing a match rating of 7.7 after a sublime performance at Goodison Park.

Only Jan Paul van Hecke notched more than Wieffer’s 72 completed passes, while he also made eight recoveries - the second most of any outfield player - and provided an assist.

2. Abdul Fatawu - 8.0 (Leicester)

Abdul Fatawu was Leicester’s bright spark during their 1-1 draw against Tottenham on Monday night.

His Football Critic match rating of 8.0 was the highest of any player on the pitch, with the 20-year-old catching the eye on the right wing. Fatawu produced four crosses, completed three dribbles and created one big chance as Leicester earned a valiant point at home.

He spent last season on loan at Leicester, but this was his first appearances as a permanent Foxes player.

1. Amadou Onana - 8.2 (Aston Villa)

Amadou Onana’s Aston Villa debut went perfectly. The Belgium international opened the scoring against West Ham with a bullet header from a corner and he played a key role as Unai Emery’s side ran out 2-1 winners.

In addition, Onana won 10 of his 17 duels, made three clearances and six recoveries, while he lost possession just four times and maintained a 97% pass accuracy.