Every summer, the transfer window brings with it a storm of anticipation. Big names land on English soil with glowing reputations, hefty transfer fees, and endless YouTube compilations that make them look unstoppable.
This season, it is Viktor Gyokeres at Arsenal, Benjamin Sesko at Manchester United, and Florian Wirtz at Liverpool who carry that heavy burden. What often gets lost in the chaos of hype, however, is the fact that adapting to a new league, especially one as relentless as the Premier League, does not happen overnight.
Take Gyokeres, for instance. The Swedish striker had a decent debut against Manchester United, as his movement was clever, and his energy was evident. Yet his performance was quickly diluted into criticism over “not scoring” and “not looking like an Arsenal player yet.” This is where context matters. He’s coming from
At Sporting CP, systems, tempo, and opponents are starkly different. Even intelligent forward runs can look misplaced until teammates understand his rhythm. Gelling with a team built on precision and fluidity like Arsenal’s won’t click instantly, no matter how much talent he has.
Sesko’s case is similar, but layered with youth and inexperience. Still only 21, he is leaping from RB Leipzig and the Bundesliga to the Premier League, a move that adds not just expectations but also an entirely new physical challenge.
It takes months, sometimes seasons, for strikers to adjust to the sheer intensity and defensive toughness in England. To demand instant fireworks would be unfair, and worse, counterproductive to his development.
Wirtz, on the other hand, faced a different sort of backlash. Liverpool’s creative signing from Leverkusen was seen as the new jewel of Anfield’s midfield, but when he struggled to make a mark against Bournemouth, the noise began.
What people forget is that he has barely had time to acclimatise to a league that never gives you a single second on the ball. Liverpool’s pace, the Premier League’s pressure, and the weight of representing a top English club. So, it is only natural that he might look human in his early outings.
Why Patience Matters
What ties these players together is not just their price tags but the expectations attached to them because of their previous exploits. High transfers create an illusion of instant certainty. Fans want immediate goals, assists, and dominance.
But football does not operate like a video game, where ability translates seamlessly across settings. The Premier League is a marathon, not a sprint, and it tests even the best of modern-day imports.
Many greats have taken time to truly flourish in England. Even legends like Didier Drogba, Thierry Henry, and Kevin De Bruyne did not make headlines from day one. Their true brilliance came after weeks, sometimes seasons, of learning, failing, and adjusting.
The Bigger Picture
This is precisely why patience is essential. Gyokeres, Sesko, and Wirtz are still finding their footing not just in England but within their clubs’ unique systems. They need managers who trust them, fans who back them, and time to adapt without the constant shadow of criticism. Judging talent in a few games is one of football fandom’s greatest flaws.
Supporters often forget that thriving in a new environment is as much mental as it is physical or tactical. Settling into a new country, culture, and dressing room matters just as much as link-up play or finishing. If these players are given a season, not a few weeks, to learn, adjust, and express themselves, then their potential to shine will be far greater than if we rush to label them with the “hit or flop” tag.
So while the Premier League remains the toughest stage in world football, it should also allow its newest stars the grace period any player deserves. Today’s “quiet debut” could easily be tomorrow’s era-defining moment. In the meantime, the call to fans and pundits alike is simple: let them breathe, let them adapt, and most importantly, let them play their way into greatness.
Conclusion
The Premier League thrives on drama, storylines, and instant heroes. Every signing is looked at through the lens of highlights, past numbers, and transfer fees, and that often leaves no room for patience. But if we have learned anything over the years, it is that adaptation takes time, even for the very best. Viktor Gyokeres, Benjamin Sesko, and Florian Wirtz are not short of talent; what they lack right now is familiarity with the demands of their new surroundings.
Fans and pundits have to remember that settling into English football is no different from adjusting to a new job or a new city. It takes time to understand teammates, to learn a system, and to handle pressures unique to the league. Criticising them too early not only ignores this natural process but can also weigh on their confidence.
What supporters should do instead is give them that breathing space, appreciating flashes of promise without expecting instant perfection. If given the time, these players are well capable of turning into long‑term success stories for their clubs. After all, patience has often been the difference between a wasted signing and a future legend. Sometimes, the wait makes the reward even sweeter.
