From the 'chill' Huijsen to the 'pharaoh' Omar Marmoush: The Premier League's best debutants of the 2024/25 season

The 2024/25 English Premier League season has gifted fans a host of spectacular debuts, from rising stars like Miles Lewis-Skelly and Dean Huijsen to experienced talents such as Mikel Merino and Marco Asensio. From Mads Hermansen's stunning saves to Omar Marmoush's memorable hat-trick, these newcomers have already etched their names into league history.

We present the Premier League's symbolic team of the season, featuring the top debutants of the campaign.

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Goalkeeper: Mads Hermansen (Leicester)

The 24-year-old Danish shot-stopper joined the Foxes from Brøndby back in 2023 and spent a season with them in the Championship. Despite Leicester's outsider status in the Premier League, Mads delivered a commendable campaign.

Hermansen averaged 4 saves per game, stopped a penalty, and kept one clean sheet. In Matchweek 6, he conceded four goals to Arsenal but made an incredible 13 saves and two successful sweeper actions, preventing two more goals.

Left-back: Miles Lewis-Skelly (Arsenal)

In his first senior season, the 18-year-old Englishman featured in 20 league matches (13 starts). On average, Lewis-Skelly made one tackle and clearance per game, as well as two ball recoveries.

This season, his passing accuracy stands at 94%, including 58% for long balls and 25% for crosses. In February 2025, Miles scored his first goal, finding the net against Manchester City.

Centre-back: Dean Huijsen (Bournemouth)

The 19-year-old Spaniard of Dutch descent blossomed at Bournemouth after his move from Roma. In Matchweek 14, he made club history by becoming their youngest-ever goalscorer.

Dean is a constant threat going forward (three goals and one assist), excels in ball progression (84% pass accuracy), and doesn't neglect his defensive duties: he averages six clearances and two interceptions per match, and wins 61% of his aerial duels.

Centre-back: Nikola Milenkovic (Nottingham Forest)

The 27-year-old Serbian arrived at Forest from Fiorentina and immediately established himself as a starter. He contributed four goals and two assists.

Milenkovic created two big chances, completed 84% of his passes, and averaged five clearances, one tackle, and two recoveries per match. The Serbian won 72% of his aerial duels and 67% of his ground duels.

Right-back: Maxence Lacroix (Crystal Palace)

The 25-year-old Frenchman signed a four-year deal with Crystal Palace in the summer of 2024. He made his debut for the Eagles in September and registered an assist that same month. In December, Lacroix scored his first Premier League goal.

Across 32 appearances for Palace, Lacroix created three big chances, missed two clear scoring opportunities, and completed 82% of his passes. On average, he recorded six clearances, two tackles, one interception, and four recoveries per game. Maxence won 60% of his duels both on the ground and in the air.

Central midfielder: Mikel Merino (Arsenal)

The 28-year-old Spaniard made the switch to the Emirates from Real Sociedad in late August 2024. In 26 Premier League matches, Merino netted six goals (including a match-winning brace against Leicester) and provided two assists.

Mikel created three big chances and completed 80% of his passes. On average, he registered one or two tackles, three recoveries, and one clearance per game.

Central midfielder: Yankuba Minteh (Brighton)

The 20-year-old Gambian joined Brighton from Dutch side Feyenoord in the summer of 2024. In his very first match for the Seagulls, Yankuba provided an assist.

Over 29 Premier League matches, Minteh delivered four assists and scored six goals (including a brace against Chelsea). He is the only player under 21 to have directly contributed to 10 goals in the league. Yankuba created eight big chances and had as many shots on goal himself.

Left winger: Savinho (Manchester City)

The 21-year-old Brazilian made the switch to the Citizens from Girona in summer 2024. At City, Savinho became the team's top provider, racking up eight assists. He scored his first (and so far only) goal in Matchweek 19 against Leicester, also setting up Erling Haaland in the same game.

Across 27 league matches, Savinho created 11 big chances and completed 87% of his passes. On average, he made two successful dribbles, three recoveries, and won 50% of his duels both on the ground and in the air.

Right winger: Marco Asensio (Aston Villa)

On loan from PSG since February 2025, the 29-year-old Spaniard featured in 10 league games, scoring three goals (including a brace against Chelsea) and providing one assist. Asensio also created one big chance and completed 87% of his passes.

Attacking midfielder: Omar Marmoush (Manchester City)

The 26-year-old Egyptian arrived from Eintracht Frankfurt at the end of January. Within two weeks, Omar bagged a hat-trick against Newcastle.

Across 13 Premier League matches, Marmoush scored six goals, created six big chances, and completed 83% of his passes, including a perfect record on long balls. On average, he completed one successful dribble per match and forced at least one foul from the opposition.

Striker: Evanilson (Bournemouth)

The 25-year-old Brazilian joined Bournemouth from Porto in August 2024. He quickly became one of the Cherries' top scorers, netting 10 goals in 28 matches and providing one assist. He also created two big chances and completed 70% of his passes.

Evanilson is a true penalty-winning specialist. In Matchweek 8 against Arsenal, he drew a foul from William Saliba in the box, and in Matchweek 13 against Wolves, he earned three penalties, all converted by Kluivert.

Manager: Arne Slot (Liverpool)

In his very first season, the 46-year-old Dutch tactician led Liverpool to the Premier League title, ending Manchester City's four-year dominance. Slot became only the sixth manager to win the league in his debut season and the third youngest (after José Mourinho and Kenny Dalglish) to claim the championship at all.