Making an impact in your professional football debut is a hard thing to do – but it’s not impossible. Some critics would have you believe that the planets need to align perfectly and your timing needs to be impeccable, when in reality you just need to stay focused and sometimes you may get lucky. With that in mind, these 13 players certainly made their presence known to the footballing world.
You’ll probably know a few of these guys and what they can do on the pitch more than others, but let’s not kid ourselves here – they are not all born goalscorers. That’s the problem with a good debut; the expectations for the rest of your tenure at the club are automatically risen, and it’s tough to live up to that.
Fabrizio Ravanelli – Middlesbrough
If we had to picture where Fabrizio Ravanelli is now and what he's doing, the guy would be sat poolside with a glass of scotch in hand looking about as suave as a 48-year-old could ever hope to be. After all, not too many men have netted a hat-trick against Liverpool on their debut. Image Source: Twitter
James Wilson – Manchester United
You'd forgotten about him, hadn't you?! There's still potential there, as was evidenced by his brace against Hull City back in May 2014. Not a bad way to announce your arrival. Image Source: Twitter
Mido – Tottenham Hotspur
Mido was not a very good footballer during his time at White Hart Lane but for some cruel reason, he decided upon giving the Spurs fans a false sense of hope with two goals against Portsmouth in February 2005. Harsh. Image Source: Twitter
Gary O’Neil – Portsmouth
Yup, the bloke who got sent-off in the Championship Play-Off Final. Two goals against Leeds in late 2003 - what a bizarre sport. Image Source: Twitter
Joe Ledley – Crystal Palace
Some say that Joe Ledley once snapped a mountain goat in half just by looking at it. Others believe he scored against West Bromwich Albion on his debut. Who are we supposed to believe? Image Source: Twitter
Eric Dier – Tottenham Hotspur
From the moment Eric Dier's winner against West Ham hit the back of the net, Spurs fans up and down the country declared him to be the next great English defender. It's like they almost enjoy setting themselves up for failure. Image Source: Twitter
Bakary Sako – Crystal Palace
The greatest achievement that Bakary Sako can associate himself with is that he was included in the greatest football song of all time alongside Nouha Dicko and Benik Afobe. Aside from that, his goal against Villa was as good as it got at Selhurst Park. Image Source: Twitter
Luke Varney – Blackpool
You would've thought that poor Luke would do something to sort that hairline of his. Oh well, his goal against Fulham in August 2010 will have to do. Image Source: Twitter
Alexander Buttner – Manchester United
When he wasn't busy looking like a member of Jamie Vardy's gang, Buttner actually got on the scoresheet against Wigan in his debut. Image Source: Twitter
Roberto Soldado – Tottenham Hotspur
The footballing gods cry out "Nay, we refute the claim that Roberto Soldado's feet ever produced greatness in a Tottenham shirt" but alas, it happened. It was a winner against Palace, too. Did he just forget what sport he was playing after that? Image Source: Twitter
Ricky van Wolfswinkel – Norwich City
This is another entry into the mythology department, because many believe Ricky van Wolfswinkel was cursed and never actually scored for Norwich City. It did happen, though - against a fairly decent side in Everton, too. Image Source: Twitter
Claudio Pizarro – Chelsea
What an awful footballer. Shame on you for conceding against him, Birmingham. Shame. Image Source: Twitter
Giuseppe Rossi – Manchester United
Giuseppe Rossi took a break from seeing how quickly he could break one of his bones to net against Sunderland well over a decade ago. God we feel old. Image Source: Twitter
SEE ALSO: The rise and fall of The Crazy Guy
There are some forwards, midfielders and even a defender or two but make no mistake about it, they’ll all be telling their grandchildren about their debuts for years to come. Why? Because it’s a pretty cool thing to brag about, in all honesty. Plus it may be their only career highlight of note.
Not that James Wilson’s grandkids will be him…
Start the discussion
Login to comment