Fernandes and Pulisic star in top Premier League Newcomer XI

The Premier League is widely regarded as one of the most difficult leagues to adjust to, so if you can make a quick impact with your side, then you stand as good a chance as any at succeeding in England's top tier. It doesn't matter if you play for a newly promoted side, such as Sheffield United or Norwich, or a historic giant, Manchester United a prime example, then your stock will rise considerably if you can take to the Premier League like a duck to water. 

Here, we look at the best rated players who enjoyed their debut Premier League season of those to feature in at least 50% of available matches, so January arrivals come into the reckoning too... 

Goalkeeper 

He may have been on the Manchester United books since 2011, but 2019/20 marked Dean Henderson's first top-flight campaign of his career. The England hopeful missed just two league games of the season due to loan stipulations as Sheffield United defied expectations to land a top-half finish. Henderson was key in that regard. Only Ederson (16) and Nick Pope (15) kept more clean sheets than the 23-year-old (13), who returned the best save success rate (75.2%) in England's top tier this term, as Henderson thrived in his first Premier League campaign.  

Defenders 

Henderson isn't the only Sheffield United representative in the newcomer XI as John Egan and Jack O'Connell form the centre-back partnership in this team. Chris Basham would have nailed down a spot, but the 32-year-old has previous experience in the Premier League with Bolton and Blackpool. 

Both Egan and O'Connell earned WhoScored ratings of 6.93 in the Premier League this season as the duo played their parts for a Sheffield United side that shipped the fourth fewest goals (39) in the top-flight.  

At left-back, Jetro Willems sneaks into this XI having featured in 19 of Newcastle's 38 league matches (50%). The Dutchman's season was cut short in January as he suffered a 2019/20 ending ACL injury in the Magpies' 1-0 win over Chelsea, but had endeared himself to fans before his absence as he scored two and provided two assists for Steve Bruce's side. 

Rounding off the defence is Everton loanee Djibril Sidibe. While the Frenchman's time on Merseyside ended after just one campaign, Sidibe was a solid capture from Monaco, pushing forward well from the back to register four assists for the Toffees. 0.9 key passes and 0.7 successful dribbles per 90 was also a commendable attacking return for the 27-year-old as he garnered a WhoScored rating of 6.92. 

Midfielders 

The best place to start here is Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes, who has been exceptional following his January capture from Sporting CF. In 14 league outings, the 25-year-old has eight goals and seven assists to his name, while United have claimed 32 points since his debut at the beginning of February, more than any other Premier League team. In the same period, United are the only team yet to lose a match with Fernandes doing enough to return a WhoScored rating of 7.73. 

Another January capture features in midfield alongside Fernandes, with Tomas Soucek having the desired impact in a West Ham side that successfully staved off relegation. The Czech joined from Slavia Prague at the turn of the year and garnered a WhoScored rating of 7.14 for the Hammers. A return of 6.1 aerial duels won per 90 was more than any other central midfielder in the Premier League this season, with Soucek a deserving inclusion in this newcomer XI. 

Anchoring the midfield is Manchester City's big money arrival Rodri. Joining from Atletico Madrid, the Spaniard was unable to land the Premier League title in his debut season at the Etihad Stadium, yet still did enough to garner a WhoScored rating of 7.09 and nail down a spot in this team. A solid performer on the ball, Rodri's pass success rate of 92.9% was better than any other Premier League player this season. 

Forwards 

Kicking off the front three was a player signed 18 months ago by Chelsea from Borussia Dortmund. Christian Pulisic enjoyed a fine debut season in England and while injuries limited his overall impact, the American managed nine goals and four assists for the Blues as a sign of things to come in the capital. 2.9 successful dribbles per 90 reinforced a strength of 'dribbling' and saw Pulisic come away from 2019/20 with a WhoScored rating of 7.18. 

Newcastle ace Allan Saint-Maximin joins Pulisic on the frontline having excelled for the Magpies. The 23-year-old may have only scored three and assisted four for Steve Bruce's side, but, like Pulisic, the Frenchman's debut Premier League campaign was hit by injuries. Despite playing just 54.8% of all possible minutes in England's top tier, Saint-Maximin finish third for successful dribbles (121) to return a WhoScored rating of 7.29. 

And rounding off this XI, Emiliano Buendia wasn't a new signing by Norwich over the last 12 months, but the Argentine took to the rigours of Premier League football with ease. Indeed, with a WhoScored rating of 7.08, Buendia was the best rated player to have suffered relegation in 2019/20 as he chipped in with seven assists for the Canaries. Only Kevin De Bruyne (13) made more accurate through balls than the 23-year-old (12) this season to cap a solid debut Premier League campaign.