Revealed: Chelsea and Arsenal stars among top 10 Premier League debutants

The opening weekend of the 2020/21 Premier League season allowed a number of supporters the first chance to see their new signings in action. Chelsea fans were keen to see how Timo Werner and Kai Havertz would slot in to their new surroundings, while Arsenal supporters had high hopes for Gabriel and Willian in their opening day trip to Fulham. 

Here, we run through the top 10 best performing debutants in the Premier League this weekend... 

10. Jamal Lewis - Newcastle (vs West Ham) 

The first of three Newcastle representatives to feature after their 2-0 win at West Ham, Jamal Lewis had been linked with a move to Liverpool over the summer on the back of Norwich's relegation before his switch to the Magpies was confirmed and he made a strong start to life for Steve Bruce's side. Indeed, a WhoScored rating of 7.27 at the London Stadium was enough to make the top 10 best rated debutants from gameweek one as Lewis defended solidly from the back, making two tackles and one clearance, and could have had an assist, too, as he made three key passes.  

9. Callum Wilson - Newcastle (vs West Ham) 

It wasn't a surprise to see Callum Wilson make an immediate Premier League return following Bournemouth's relegation, nor was it that he maintained his fine goalscoring record against West Ham on Saturday. The England international put the Magpies ahead in the capital 10 minutes after the break, hitting the back of the net with one of four shots in the 2-0 victory, and he could've had an assist, too, as Wilson mustered two key passes to help garner a WhoScored rating of 7.34. 

8. Timo Werner - Chelsea (vs Brighton) 

There was plenty of focus on this new-look Chelsea ahead of their trip to Brighton on Monday night and while it was Reece James who stole the plaudits, the Blues faithful will be excited at what is to come from Timo Werner. While only one of the German's five shots tested Mat Ryan in the Brighton goal, Werner also chipped in with two successful dribbles and one key pass as he came away from the 3-1 win at the AMEX with a WhoScored rating of 7.44. 

7. Marcal - Wolves (vs Sheffield United) 

The captures of FC Porto pair Fabio Silva and Vitinha may have stood out, but it was another summer arrival that snuck under the radar that stood out for Wolves in their 2-0 win at Sheffield United. Versatile defender Marcal deputised for left wing-back Jonny well in the win at Bramall Lane as his WhoScored rating (7.51) suggests. The Brazilian won five aerial duels in the victory and made two interceptions, too. On the ball, he pressed forward well as he completed two dribbles to excel on his debut. 

6. Abdoulaye Doucoure - Everton (vs Tottenham) 

Everton kicked off their first full season with Carlo Ancelotti at the helm in fine fashion courtesy of Dominic Calvert-Lewin's second half header in their 1-0 win at Tottenham. Abdoulaye Doucoure was one who impressed on his debut for the Toffees as the Frenchman excelled from midfield. Doucoure was unfortunate not to notch an assist at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as he made four key passes and drove forward from deep well, too, completing two dribbles. With two tackles and two interceptions, the former Watford man landed a WhoScored rating of 7.53 from Everton's win in north London. 

5. James Rodriguez - Everton (vs Tottenham) 

Keeping with Everton's 1-0 win at Tottenham, fans were eager to see James Rodriguez for the first time following his arrival from Real Madrid and they were not disappointed. No player made more key passes than Rodriguez (5) in gameweek one of the 2020/21 Premier League season. Three interceptions and two dribbles contributed towards to a fine debut for the creative star and while he didn't have a direct hand in a goal, Rodriguez was good value for a WhoScored rating of 7.68. 

4. Gabriel - Arsenal (vs Fulham) 

Just missing out on a place on the podium is Arsenal arrival Gabriel, who doubled the Gunners' advantage shortly after the break in their 3-0 win at Fulham. The Brazilian bagged his first goal in English football as he netted from fellow debutant Willian's corner four minutes into the second half. The former Lille man displayed his fine distribution in the victory at Craven Cottage has he found a teammate with 110 of his 114 passes (96.7%) and was defensively sound, making three clearances and two tackles to yield a WhoScored rating of 7.96. 

3. Willian - Arsenal (vs Fulham) 

Arsenal made light work of Fulham as the Cottagers endured a disappointing start to the Premier League season. Willian played a key role for the Gunners on his debut for the north London outfit as he had a direct hand in two of their three goals in a 3-0 victory at Craven Cottage. The Brazilian provided assists for Gabriel and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in the second half, those coming from two of three key passes, and found a teammate with 25 of his 26 passes (96.2%) to come away from the London derby with a WhoScored rating of 8.35. 

2. Timothy Castagne - Leicester (vs West Brom) 

Leicester were without a host of key players for their trip to West Brom on Sunday, but made light work of the Baggies regardless. Jamie Vardy bagged a brace at the Hawthorns to kick off his quest to land the Golden Boot once more, but it was summer arrival Timothy Castagne who got the party started in the Midlands. The Belgian hit the back of the net with his only shot of the game and was sound off the ball, too, as he made three tackles and two interceptions to garner a WhoScored rating of 8.37. 

1. Jeff Hendrick - Newcastle (vs West Ham)

Not the headline grabbing summer arrival in the Premier League, but top of the summer debutants pile is Newcastle's Jeff Hendrick. The Republic of Ireland international enjoyed a debut to remember as the Magpies kicked off their season with a 2-0 win at West Ham. Indeed, the former Burnley man had a direct hand in both goals, providing the opener for Callum Wilson early in the second half before wrapping up the victory with a fine strike three minutes from time. One shot, one key pass and three dribbles capped a man of the match display from the 28-year-old as he garnered a WhoScored rating of 8.61.