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# What impressed O

- **Source:** 
- **Published:** 22 Aug
- **Club:** Ipswich Town
- **Original URL:** https://www.eadt.co.uk/sport/26487455.ipswich-town---gary-oneil-julio-encisos-impressive-debut-display/?ref=rss

The Paraguayan star completed a £26m switch from Strasbourg on Monday, reuniting with O'Neil and returning to his former loan club.

Thrown straight into the starting XI, the 22-year-old produced an electric display in an opening weekend 2-1 home win against Sunderland, setting up the first goal, almost scoring with an outrageous flick and running himself into the ground before coming off with cramp.

"He's a top talent," grinned O'Neil. "That's why we worked so hard to get him, because he's the number 10 that can produce unbelievable quality.

"But not many 10s in the world are willing to work the way he works. I've worked hard with him in Strasbourg around his defensive stuff and he was excellent stopping Granit Xhaka dictating today.

More:'If stadium is empty, we don't win that' - O'Neil on 2-1 win against Sunderland

"When he beats two players and he's in on an open goal, there's no thought of himself. It's, 'Emerson's a better option, I'll pass it to Emerson'.

"You won't find many that can do all the sides of it like he does. There's a lot of work still to do with him, he's not quite 100% fit, so we'll keep working with him and get him up to speed with the rest of the lads.

"But you saw the difference that he can make today. And as well as being a difference maker, he carries his weight and he does the same work as the rest of the team. It's an an excellent signing for us."

More:Town's new signings impress - AJ's player ratings from 2-1 win against Sunderland

Enciso was one of seven summer signings to start this game, but O'Neil was keen to highlight the contribution from the players he's inherited.

"People will talk about the new signings, but the guys that were here and suffered the last Premier League campaign performed so well.

"Jacob Greaves, Leif Davis... Dara O'Shea produces a real captain's performance. Chuba (Akpom) coming off the bench. Kasey (McAteer), Sindre (Walle Egeli), excellent too.

"To have that many new ones and that many ones that have been here a while all pulling together at such an early part of the season is a real good sign."

More:'A long time coming' - Clarke on his first Prem goal as Town beat Sunderland

