007 Watch: Wirtz and the other Premier League stars under pressure

It’s getting to the time of the season when summer signings are being assessed. The big names of the transfer window are already being categorised as hits or misses.

While there will naturally be some dispute over who deserves to be where, one label that players certainly do not want to be burdened with is being a ‘007’.

The number has popular appeal due to the James Bond franchise of films, but for a new signing, it’s about the worst thing you can be.

What does 007 in football mean?

Going ‘007’ in football means that in your first seven matches for a club, you have failed to either score or assist.

It’s a term used for star attacking players who would normally expect to contribute heavily to their teams.

The term became popular after Jadon Sancho started his Manchester United career slowly, with Sky Sports even producing a graphic depicting him as a secret agent.

It has been used to describe players such as Kai Havertz since then.

Are there any big signings to go ‘007’ this season?

Liverpool’s Florian Wirtz stands accused of going 007 after a slow start following a €125 million move from Bayer Leverkusen. In fact, the Germany international has failed to score in eight Premier League or Champions League outings for the Reds, prompting Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher to suggest he needs to be dropped.

Whether Wirtz is genuinely a 007 case is disputable, however. He produced an assist on debut in the Community Shield. While this would typically see him removed from this debate, rival fans claim this is not a competitive competition.

There are a handful of Premier League attackers signed for €30m or more who could be considered to be given this label.

Everton striker Thierno Barry has played eight times for the Toffees without contributing to a goal following a €30m move from Villarreal. Similarly, Aston Villa’s Evann Guessand has featured eight times for Unai Emery’s side without having a decisive impact.

New Nottingham Forest striker Arnaud Kalimuendo has also gone 007 after joining for €30m from Rennes but has played a total of only 136 minutes, so it would be harsh to consider him in this bracket.

Stars on the verge of going 007

In the next few days there promises to be an explosion of 007 chatter as some major signings at big Premier League clubs near the landmark.

Matheus Cunha was a player that Manchester United spent much of the summer pursuing, yet he has made no decisive impact in front of goal across six appearances for the Red Devils. Ruben Amorim would have expected much more from him.

Similarly, Jamie Gittens at Chelsea has made next to no impact and is only one appearance away from going 007.

Across London at Arsenal, Noni Madueke was an unpopular signing at the Emirates Stadium and through six games with the Gunners has neither a goal or an assist to his credit. Some bright pre-season displays have eased the immediate pressure on the winger, who could be out with a knee injury until December.

Some less high-profile figures potentially heading towards 007 status as Everton’s Tyler Dibling, Fulham’s new left-sided forward Kevin and Nottingham Forest’s Dilane Bakwa.

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