Who Had The Best Premier League Debut? : Shinji Kagawa, Eden Hazard and Santi Cazorla Do Battle

Another summer, another array of talent imported into the Premier League. The fans of clubs around the country await the impact that their new addition will make. An inspired arrival? Or a untimely flop a la Torres? And it all begins with their first step. A debut.

Shinji Kagawa Vs Everton

A £17 million signing from Bundesliga champions, Borrusia Dortmund, Kagawa sent the Manchester United faithful into raptures when his move was completed. The jealousy of the Red Devils missing out on tricky playmaker, Eden Hazard, to rivals, Chel$ea was recouped by the ' Japanese Iniesta '. Here is the positives and negatives from his debut performances against Everton at Goodison Park :

Ball Collection

Given the Number 10 role by Sir Alex Ferguson, Kagawa was given a license to roam the pitch. He moved up top as a secondary striker, he came in deep alongside Scholes and Cleverley to build up attacks, and attempted to create chances from the flanks to aid a tightly marked Antonio Valencia, but focused on the left wing instead.

Attacking Third Impact

His energy in the final third was duly noted. Two passes in the final third to Antonio Valencia. That proved to be one of Kagawa's negatives throughout the game.

Chance Creation

Four chances created in a 90 minute game is a good number.

Unfortunately, Shinji started his Premier League career with the Reds with defeat as Everton triumphed 1-0. But his performance is encouraging to the Manchester United faithful. If they do exist.

Rating : 7.7 / 10

Eden Hazard Vs Wigan

The most expensive transfer so far in this year's window. No surprise coming from the West Londoners. Chelsea secured the services of the mercurial Belgian for a modest fee of £32 million from under the noses of some of Europe's biggest clubs. His first challenge was to overcome a tactically savvy Wigan side, coached by former Blue, Roberto Martinez.

Attacking Third

A pretty pitiful performance in the opposition's danger zone by the young Belgian. The stats speak from themselves. With 50% of his passes going astray, this was a very poor performance by Eden.

Overall Passes

Very low number at 23. And 6 of them going astray. Another terrible stat. Being given the Number 10 role by Di Matteo, Hazard should have been roaming the pitch in search of an opportunity to break the Wigan back three. The reality was far from it.

Chance Creation

1 chance created. 1 assist. Good efficency. Terrible number once again.

Despite Hazard's poor performance, Chelsea came out victorious in the tie, winning 2-0.

Rating : 6 / 10

Santi Cazorla vs Sunderland

Signed for a reported £16 million, Santi Cazorla arrived at North London with a proven pedigree. Masterminding his former club, Malaga, to their highest position in history in 4th place, gifting them a place in this year's Champions League. First up, a seemingly straight forward tie against Sunderland at the Emirates.

Defensive Contribution

Also assigned the Number 10 role, Santi's defensive performance was very good.

Ball Collection

The heat map shows that Cazorla's zone tended to be in the opposition's half, as he rarely dropped deep to create. He was roaming the final third, always demanding possession, right, left, and centre. A serious replacement for Cesc Fabregas.

Chance Creation

7 chances creating is an excellent number. Poor finishing and tight defending prevented Santi from opening his assist account.

Attacking Third

Unlike Kagawa and Hazard, Cazorla focused on every point in the final third. Providing service right, left, and centre.

A park-the-bus performance from Sunderland stalled Arsenal's campaign objectives as the Black Cats escaped with a stalemate at 0-0.

Rating : 8.5 / 10

So it looks like Arsenal's Santi Cazorla wins this round, but with 37 games left in the season, Kagawa and Hazard could easily catch up to the Spaniard.