Five of the worst debuts in Premier League history | OneFootball

Moises Caicedo endured a disastrous debut for Chelsea last weekend, with club-record signing producing a chaotic cameo in the club’s 3-1 defeat at West Ham.

Expectations were high for the £115m record recruit, but Caicedo’s substitute appearance at the London Stadium saw him repeatedly squander possession before a clumsy challenge handed West Ham a stoppage-time penalty.

Caicedo has the talent to bounce back, but his Premier League certainly proved one to forget. Following Caicedo’s debut disasterclass, we look back at five of the worst Premier League debuts.

Five of the worst debuts in Premier League history:

Rio Ferdinand

Debuts always bring a sense of expectation and anticipation, but those feelings were heightened following Rio Ferdinand’s record-breaking move to Leeds in 2000.

The centre-back set a new British transfer record and became world football’s most expensive defender upon his £18m move to Elland Road from West Ham, but was part of a defence ruthlessly cut apart against Leicester on his first appearance.

David O’Leary had altered his side’s tactics in a bid to get the best from the marquee arrival, but his plans backfired in spectacular fashion as Leicester raced into a three-goal lead inside 28 minutes.

Embed from Getty Images

Ferdinand was one of a number of Leeds players who struggled as goals from Robbie Savage, Ade Akinbiyi, and Gerry Taggart gave Leicester a commanding first-half lead, one the Foxes would not relinquish as Ferdinand’s debut ended in defeat.

Patrice Evra

Patrice Evra was handed a baptism of fire upon his Premier League debut, thrust into the hostility of a Manchester derby at Maine Road.

Manchester United had signed the left-back from Monaco during the 2006 January transfer window, but his first performance for the Red Devils proved a difficult lesson learned as he was hauled off at half-time.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s side found themselves two goals down at the interval following efforts from Trevor Sinclair and Darius Vassell, with a furious Ferguson withdrawing a struggling Evra who had failed to get to grips with the speed of the English game.

The former France international later revealed he had been sick on the morning of the clash, one that provided a rude awakening to the physical demands of the Premier League.

He recovered to establish himself as one of the best left-backs in the league during a hugely successful period at Old Trafford however, winning five league titles and the Champions League among his honours.

Privacy Settings

Joe Cole

Joe Cole’s career with Chelsea had ran its course in the summer of 2010 and the midfielder chose to depart the west London side on a free transfer.

His arrival at Liverpool was deemed a coup for the Merseyside club, given the nature of the deal and calibre of Cole, but his dreams of a memorable debut ended in a nightmare at Anfield.

Eager to impress his new fanbase as Liverpool faced Arsenal in their opening fixture, Cole was given a straight red card in the first half after launching himself into an over-the-top challenge on Laurent Koscielny.

Embed from Getty Images

Cole’s marching orders were the start of a fairly miserable time on Merseyside for the England international, who failed to find his form during an injury-hit spell with the Reds.

Thiago Silva

Thiago Silva is a hugely popular figure at Chelsea, but the veteran defender was forced to recover from a dismal debut at West Brom.

Silva arrived into the Premier League having been one of the world’s best defenders over the past decade, though questions were asked as to whether the experienced centre-back could handle the rigours of the division in the twilight of his career.

Those questions grew ever louder following a shambolic showing at The Hawthorns in September 2020, as Chelsea found themselves three goals down to the newly-promoted Baggies at half-time.

The Brazilian was individually culpable for the second goal, losing possession in a dangerous area as Callum Robinson capitalised to run through and score.

Embed from Getty Images

Chelsea fought back in the second half to secure an unlikely draw, but it was a dreadful display from the new arrival.

Silva bounced back to his credit and proved his class throughout his debut campaign, forming part of the Chelsea squad that won the Champions League under Thomas Tuchel.

Alex Jankewitz

The desire to make an impact on debut can often lead to a little over enthusiasm, but Alex Jankewitz’s took making an early impression to a whole new level.

The teenager was touted as one for the future at Southampton and was handed his senior bow for the Saints during an FA Cup clash against Shrewsbury in January 2021.

After making his first Premier League as a substitute later that month, the midfielder was handed his first start as Southampton travelled to face Manchester United in February.

It was an occasion that lasted all of 79 seconds for Jankewitz, who was given a straight red card for a dangerous challenge on Scott McTominay inside the opening two minutes at Old Trafford.

Embed from Getty Images

Distraught at his dismissal, the youngster trudged off down the tunnel as his teammates proceeded to be beaten 9-0, equalling the all-time Premier League record for biggest ever defeat.

He never featured for the club again and signed for Young Boys in July 2021.

Read – Midfield Magicians: Xabi Alonso, the grand master of 4D chess

Read Also – Remembering Johan Cruyff’s iconic Barcelona Dream Team

Subscribe to our social channels:

Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube