Debut Delight: Five of the best Premier League debut seasons ever

Jaap Stam

Back when the Netherlands were still a powerhouse in world football, a young Jaap Stam was making waves in the Eredivisie with PSV.

Fergie splashed out £10.8m – a world record for a defender at the time – for the centre-half.

Stam would go on to cement his place at the heart of United’s defence, winning an unprecedented treble in his debut campaign.

Gianfranco Zola

The diminutive Italian Gianfranco Zola signed for Chelsea back in 1996 under Ruud Gullit.

Thought to be too small and slight for the Premier League, few would have imagined the impact he would have.

His genius led the Blues to an FA Cup Final win by season’s end. And he would be awarded the Football Writers’ Player of the Year in his opening campaign.

Sergio Aguero

There were many candidates for the final slot but it would be remiss of the Coral News Team to leave out Aguero.

The little Argentine – signed from Atletico Madrid – managed 30 Premier League goals in his debut season.

The famous “Agueroooooo” moment will forever live in English football folklore as Manchester City won the title in the final moments against Queens Park Rangers.

Notable Mentions:

N’Golo Kante – Signed for just £5.6m from Caen. Won the Premier League with Leicester City in his first season with amazing displays in midfield.

Kevin Phillips – The last Englishman to win the European Golden Shoe with 30 league goals for Sunderland in his debut Premier League season.

Juan Mata – Signed from Valencia in 2011, the mercurial Spaniard shone for Chelsea in his debut season. Won an FA Cup and UEFA Champions League with the Blues in his opening campaign.