Well, that’s another deadline day done and dusted, and as that dust settles on the transfer and footballing landscape, we can begin dissecting. Some clubs have been busy and splashing the cash in the previous 31 days, however some have thinned out their squads for wage reasons and general playing time satisfactions. With the drama and chaos of the final 24 hours, some hugely talented players made the move and we must go through each deal with a toothcomb, seeing what value has been nabbed and who’s the winners and therefore the losers of the window and deadline day. To do this, we have picked out our top 5 signings that have been made on deadline day in the Premier League. I am well aware of the European and global deals that have been made however we are sticking close to home with this one for now, and who knows, we might possibly come back and revisit the continental deals taking place at some point.

As with every single thing on the internet, these choices are purely subjective and often led by personal bias, however if you disagree then head over to Twitter (@NextGoalWinBlog) and let us know what your top 5 deadline day signings were.

5. Dele Alli (Tottenham Hotspur -> Everton)

In perhaps one of the weirdest deadline day’s that I can remember, Everton picked up a new permanent coach, a loan deal and what turned out to be a surprising permanent transfer for a player who was once ‘England’s saviour’. In a crazily structured deal, it is initially a free transfer which could and probably will reach the £30million+ mark within a year or 2. Spurs clearly wanted rid of the attacker who just hasn’t been himself in the past year or 2, and with Conte having a ruthless clear out on the final day, Alli is probably the biggest casualty. Everton are the beneficiaries of this clear out, and nabbed a quality proven Premier League attacking midfielder who, alongside VDB (more on him later), will give Lampard some serious options up top, and he has previously stated his admiration for the player, laying the groundwork for a manager with something to prove, and a player who could well feel the same.

4. Dejan Kulusevski (Juventus -> Tottenham Hotspur – Loan)

As part of Spurs’ clear out, they were also busy themselves with bringing in a few underrated players in my opinion. Kulusevski and Bentancur arrived from Juventus on a loan deal and permanent respectively, and this could well prove beneficial, as Conte clearly has an eye for the Italian league and has battled against these two very recently during his successful spell at Inter. As we have often seen from clubs like Spurs, the incomings are potentially controversial with their manager at the time, but there’s no doubt in my mind that these are Conte signings. What he can get from the 21 year old Kulusevski excited me slightly more than the Bentancur deal (just), but with an 18 month loan and option to buy, Spurs could have a new dimension in attack, and Kane/Son must be thrilled to see some reinforcements being added to their group. Being a versatile attacker in that he can play out wide on the right or through the middle, or just about anywhere else, he has some strong physical attributes and has been a key player for Juventus in the previous year and a half, playing 74 games for the Italian giants in this time. Although statistically not the strongest goal output, if he can turn provider for goal machine Harry Kane, Spurs might be tempted to pull the trigger on that permanent move sooner.

3. Wout Weghorst (Wolfsburg -> Burnley)

Possibly a surprising selection in no.3 in this list, but if we look at what Burnley need this window, it has to be one of the best moves made on deadline day. Relegation threatened Burnley lost their main goal threat to a table rival, and appeared to be heading into the final run-in without a real outlet, until up stepped 6 foot 6 forward Weghorst. Bagging 70 goals in 144 appearances for Wolfsburg in the past 3 and a half years shows a real knack for goal, and with Burnley’s tactical style being made quite clear with a “big man up top”, Dyche is clearly expecting big things from their big man as they scrap for every point. I think defenders will suddenly feel like they have to worry coming up against Burnley after this move.

2. Donny Van De Beek (Manchester United -> Everton – Loan)

Deadline day saw Everton not only picking up Dele Alli and a new coach, but a wonderful loan move for Donny Van De Beek. The issues with VDB are a complete mystery, as to why he has received so little playing time since his move to England. The loan move is huge for the player as he will be given a big role within the side, expected to play most weeks and can really cement himself in the English game, however even more significantly, Everton (with their new legendary midfielder manager) have picked up a hugely talented midfielder in an area that has lacked quality this season. VDBs versatility is a huge positive, and he will be able to fit into any system Lampard opts to use during his tenure, and giving service to Richarlison and the returning DCL will give Everton an attacking edge that they have lacked thus far and left them looking down rather than up in the table.

1. Christian Eriksen (Free Agent -> Brentford)

It has to be Eriksen’s return, not just on the footballing side of things, but on the human side. After the horrific events of Euro 2020, many thought that a hugely talented player wouldn’t ever be able to make a return to the pitch, let alone at the top level. This deal is a huge one for Brentford as they settle into life in the top-flight, and surely has their fans buzzing to sign a proven top-level Premier League talent who has spent 7 years at Tottenham in which he netted 69 goals in 305 games and was part of their Champions League final side. Furthermore, he is coming off of a title winning season in Italy. Obviously the disruption to his fitness and health are slight concerns, however with the rigorous testing and checks that have taken place I think Brentford will be happy with everything and likewise the player is desperate to get back out there and play. The Brentford stadium will be rocking to see their new marquee man.