Proper Footie

Proper Matches, Proper Chat

Transfer Deadline Day: Top Winners, Losers, and Uncertainties

SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND - AUGUST 30: A Premier League logo is seen on a flag during the Carabao Cup Second Round match between Sheffield United and Lincoln City at Bramall Lane on August 30, 2023 in Sheffield, England.

The Premier League spent a whopping 2.2bn this summer transfer window. But the main excitement is always the deadline day. The hectic nature of the deadline day has everyone hooked.

The clubs are busy trying to make last-minute deals, players are waiting on their toes to see if they are on the move, and fans are waiting impatiently to see if their club bring in a few players so they can celebrate those signings.

Deadline day has in itself become such a big thing that in the near future governments might actually declare it as a national holiday! Another deadline day is in the history books, so let’s see who got the best deals and who got the raw end.

Winners of Deadline Day

Liverpool

Liverpool were so close to a perfect window had they gotten in a centre-back as well but getting Ryan Gravenberch in was a necessity. Liverpool have addressed their main issue this summer and that was the midfield.

Getting Gravenberch means Liverpool is now well-equipped in the midfield department. They have brought in four quality midfielders this summer all of whom are versatile and capable of playing in different positions.

Also, Liverpool has managed to hang onto Mo Salah despite Al Itihad’s crazy last-minute bids. Saudi window is still open and they might or probably might come back but until then it is a win in our book.

Nottingham Forest

Forest also addressed their weakness on deadline day. Their midfield had lacked bite and quality. Enter – Ibrahim Sangare and Nicolas Dominguez. They are top-quality signings. Several Champions League clubs were interested in them as well.

Forest did lose Brennan Johnson to the Spurs but they pretty much rectified that situation with the signing of Callum-Hudson Odoi and they had already splashed the cash on Elanga earlier in the window. Also, Vlachodimos and Nuno Tavares are solid signings as far as depth is concerned. Forest looks a more complete side with the deadline deals.

Manchester City

The treble winners did not need much improvement, did they? Still, they managed to do the majority of their business early in the summer window. Kevin De Bruyne’s injury changed their strategy though.

In came Matheus Nunes from Wolves. Another quality midfielder who will only make the Citizens even stronger. Sigh.

Fulham

How do you win the deadline day? Give one of your best players permission to speak to one of the biggest clubs in the world. Spend some money on replacements and depth. Pull the plug on your best player’s transfer. Fulham managed to add to their squad without losing anyone.

We feel bad for Joao Palhinha but that’s deadline day for you. Fulham added Iwobi to their ranks.

Brighton

If people didn’t know how much progress Brighton has made in the last three years then Ansu Fati’s loan deal to Brighton should tell you. One of the brightest prospects in the world decided to come to Brighton for game time and improvement. Crazy!

Brighton managed to add to their already attack-heavy forward line and Fati has the potential to tear defenses apart. One to watch!

Aston Villa

Aston Villa’s business might have gone under the radar this summer but they have made some really smart signings. Villa has backed Emery properly. Clement Llenglet is another shrewd signing by Monchi and Emery.

Mings’ injury was unfortunate but Villa has done well to address the need quickly. Villa will be the dark horse this season.

Losers of Deadline Day: Missed Opportunities and Setbacks

Everton

What a mess these lot are in! Everton needed attacking reinforcements. They did sign Beto a week before and a prospect in Chermiti but that wasn’t enough. Toffees even sold Iwobi on deadline day to definitely fund a move for someone but they didn’t get anyone in!

Everton have lost players instead of adding them. Sean Dyche has a BIG task in his hand this season. Everton might finally go down due to mismanagement.

Manchester United

Where do you start? Panic loan deals for Amrabat and Reguillon. Unable to move on Maguire, McTominay, and Van de Beek. Panic signing Jonny Evans on a free transfer. United are in a mess. Erik Ten Haag has held the club together for the time being and he is doing a fantastic job of keeping everything together.

The only good thing United did on deadline day was signing a decent backup keeper in Bayindir. We may be a bit too harsh on Amrabat because he definitely has the potential but Manchester United should not be panic buying on deadline day.

Wolves

Wolves lost Matheus Nunes to Manchester City and replaced him with Manchester City’s Tommy Doyle on loan, erm What? Wolves are going through some tough financial times but this is just ridiculous. Wolves should have added at least one experienced player in a position they lost.

Gary On’Neil, buddy, you have a hell of a job on your hands. Best of luck.

On the Fence: The Uncertainties Looming Ahead

Chelsea

How do you make sense of so many transfers? You can’t! Chelsea has signed players left, right, and centre. No one can predict who will be a hit and who will be a flop, actually, we don’t even know who is going to start or even play for them!

It is better to just sit on the fence with them and see how well they do. Not even a tarot reader can predict their future.

Luton Town

Sambi Lokonga is a solid deadline day signing for Luton but it still might not be enough for the Hatters. Luton has broken the bank when it comes to transfers. We think they know they have a 50/50 chance of staying up maybe even less so they have been conservative with their spending. 

Time will tell if Luton survives the drop or not, we are sitting on the fence with them.