5 winners from transfer deadline day

4. Tottenham Hotspur

Spurs paid over the odds when they dropped £30 million to take Moussa Sissoko from Newcastle United. But who hasn’t paid over the odds for players in this market?

Sissoko is a mercurial midfielder, but there’s no denying his talent when he’s in the mood. Few can match his physical power, skill, pace and versatility.

It’s that pace and power Spurs have been lacking this season. Anyone who has stayed awake during their three Premier League matches knows manager Mauricio Pochettino’s squad needs more direct drive. Sissoko can provide plenty of it.

So can ex-Marseille winger Georges-Kevin Nkoudou. He joined for five years at a cost of £9 million, with little-used striker Clinton Njie going the other way on loan.

Like Sissoko, Nkoudou brings the pace Spurs so obviously need. Samuel Fenillat, who worked with the 21-year-old at Nantes, described how quick the winger is, per Spurs Twitter:

Meanwhile, L’Equipe‘s Damien Degorre had this to say:

https://twitter.com/SpursOfficial/status/771330036238520320

Spurs would rate as bigger winners were it not for the inflated fee paid for Sissoko. There’s also the issue of where exactly the new boys will play.

Both usually occupy the flanks. But those berths are currently home to Erik Lamela and Christian Eriksen.

Maybe Sissoko goes alongside one of Victor Wanyama or Eric Dier in the middle. Or perhaps he stays wide and allows Pochettino to shift Eriksen centrally, a long overdue move.

Next: 3. Arsenal