After all, it is the first time they get the chance to see the player playing in their club’s shirt. So, naturally, anticipation is a must. While some debuts go on to steal the dreams of the fans, some become nightmares.
And our focus for this piece is on the darker nightmare-ish side of things as we list out the 5 worst debuts in the Premier League…
#5 Laurent Koscielny vs Liverpool
For Arsenal fans, Laurent Koscielny is one of the best centre-backs in the world. Indeed, some even believe that he is the best in the world, but that’s a debate for another day. However, what can’t be denied is that he had one of the worst debuts in the history of the Premier League.
He was bought for €10 million by Arsenal Wenger, mainly due to the fact that he reminded Arsene Wenger of Fabio Cannavaro. The Gunner faithful, however, weren’t really sure about how he would cope up with the physicality of the league – and they became further unsure after witnessing his debut
Facing Liverpool, the Frenchman had an inconsistent game and was sent off in the 94th minute after seeing his second yellow. The fun part was that he had got both his yellows after the 90th minute in a game where another debutant was sent off.
#4 Joe Cole vs Arsenal
What were the odds of two debutants facing red cards in the same game back then? Not much, for sure. Joe Cole’s Liverpool career was nothing but a bad joke as the former England international could never really reach even half of his best at Anfield.
After a rough spell at Chelsea, he moved to Merseyside on a free transfer, where he hoped he would reignite his career after a poor finish to his life at the Bridge. As it turned out, he just carried his bad form to the Reds in a spell that further damaged his reputation.
His Premier League debut was a sign of things to come as he lasted an indifferent 45 minutes against the Gunners and was sent off for a tackle on…wait for it… Laurent Koscielny!
#3 Wayne Bridge vs Arsenal
People remember Wayne Bridge more for his infamous saga concerning his wife and John Terry. However, very few people talk about his terrible debut for West Ham United in his only season with them as a loan player.
Bridge played for a couple of top clubs, but could never really cement his place as a top left-back. So when Manchester City were left disappointed with his performances for them, he was shipped off on loan to West Ham United, in hopes that he might resurge his career.
But things further deteriorated for him as he had a debut to forget against Arsenal. The Englishman endured a terrible time as he looked well off the pace and was at fault for the first two goals that Arsenal scored. If that alone wasn’t bad enough, he also gave away a late penalty that helped Arsenal secure a 3-0 win.
#2 Gervinho vs Newcastle
So far, the debuts enlisted here were more because of the players’ performances than anything else. And this trend has been continued here with the inclusion of Gervinho’s debut against Newcastle United.
When Arsenal signed Gervinho from Lille, after being linked with his then team-mate –– Eden Hazard –– for most of the window, the fans were hopeful that the winger would be almost as good as the Belgian. His spell, however, showed anything but.
The Ivorian showed glimpses of brilliance during his time in London, but had a generally disappointing time with them. On his debut itself, he showed a sign of things to come as he slapped Joey Barton after the former QPR player dragged him by his shirt.
To be fair, though, Gervinho did what most fans would want to.
#1 Ali Dia vs Leeds United
He is the Frank Abagnale of football. Ali Dia is the ultimate conman that went on to dupe then Southampton manager, Graeme Souness, into believing that he was the cousin of George Weah, the only ever African to win the Ballon d’Or.
A cousin of Weah must be a decent player, right? That’s what Souness thought and offered him a contract of one month. He then on to make his Saints debut some days later, replacing Matthew Le Tissier after 32 minutes.
Apparently, he was so bad that he had to be substituted in the 85th minute. Le Tissier later claimed, “He ran around the pitch like Bambi on ice; it was very embarrassing to watch.”[
Ali Dia gives me hope.
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