A year ago, Andre Ayew marked his Swansea City debut with a goal as Garry Monk’s side held Chelsea 2-2; could he repeat the trick with new club West Ham United on Monday?
Dede’s early impact with the Swans set the tone for a successful campaign in the Premier League and bodes well for the year to come.
His great technique, vision, good positioning and heading ability helped him adapt to life in the Premier League, while his versatility helped him thrive across the Swans’ front line where he scored 12 goals and helped them steer clear of danger.
He couldn’t be blamed for their mid-season difficulties and deserves credit for making such a strong positive impression in the world’s greatest league during a testing campaign in South West.
He was Africa’s third highest scorer in the top flight last season behind Leicester City’s Riyad Mahrez and Watford’s Odion Ighalo and came good in the big games, finding the net against Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool and new employees West Ham.
Perhaps his most memorable strike, however, came in Swansea’s opener against Chelsea a year ago.
The match was best remembered for Jose Mourinho’s touchline rage with Eva Carneiro, the very public falling out that prompted dissention in the ranks at Stamford Bridge and arguably triggered the breakup of the 2014-15 champions.
Carneiro was dispatched soon afterwards, and Mourinho wasn’t long in West London either.
Oscar fired Chelsea into the lead in the 23rd minute but Dede, perhaps keen to make a strong early impression on the travelling fans, levelled the tie six minutes later—taking less than half an hour to open his Premier League account.
Jefferson Montero—giving Branislav Ivanovic a torrid evening—sent in a delicious cross for Bafetimbi Gomis, and while his header was saved by Thibaut Courtois, Dede was on hand to fire in the rebound.
His footwork was excellent, his agility admirable and his quickness of mind a sign of things to come.
Federico Fernandez’s own goal gave the Pensioners the advantage before Courtois’ dismissal gave the Swans the advantage and Gomis slammed home a 55th-minute equaliser.
It was a promising start for Monk’s side, and an excellent introduction for Ayew.
He makes his West Ham debut against the same club and in the same stadium on Monday evening; could ensure that Antonio Conte’s Chelsea career gets off to a miserable start?
Perhaps the most exciting thing about Ayew’s move to the London Stadium and his debut at Stamford Bridge is his reunion with former Marseille teammate Dimitri Payet.
The France international was one of the league’s outstanding individuals last season and will be central to West Ham’s lofty ambitions this term.
During their final campaign together in Provence, the pair scored 16 league goals and contributed a further 19 assists in Ligue 1.
They know each other well, are intelligent enough to link up to great effect and, with support from the likes of Andy Carroll, Sofiane Feghouli and Enner Valencia, could be devastating this season.
Payet may be a doubt for Chelsea—fortunately for Conte—but don’t be surprised to see Dede make an excellent first impression on West Ham fans on Monday, just as he did at Stamford Bridge a year ago!
GOAL.COM