Everton signed Dele Alli on a permanent deal on Deadline Day after the player had become out of favour in Antonio Conte's Tottenham Hotspur squad.

Frank Lampard was reportedly instrumental in getting the deal over the line but could it be a risk?

The Toffees have found themselves in a sticky situation in the Premier League so far this season, with a string of poor performances leading the side to a league position of 16th and teetering on the edge of a relegation battle just four points clear of the drop.

This means that there is no room for error or inconsistency, and the new manager must hit the ground running in order to save the season for Everton. He will be relying on not only the squad he inherited to step up, but his new signings to make an instant impact on the team in helping the side secure some winning form that can help them pull away from the bottom of the table.

When you look at Alli's most recent seasons at Tottenham Hotspur, it is no secret that the player has had his struggles which reflect in his market valuation which has plummeted by 75% since June 2019, going from £90m to his current valuation of £22.5m according to Transfermarkt.

This season he has made 18 appearances for Spurs, with 13 of those in the starting line up, scoring two goals and assisting once, but his inconsistencies in his performances and availability have seen him dropped from the England team, and slowly becoming out of favour with each manager that joins the north Londoners, with the latest struggles coming down to Conte unsure of his best position.

The player who was once hailed a "machine" by Rio Ferdinand and  "too good to not be one of the world's best" by his former manager Jose Mourinho, will need to make an instant impression on the side to help Everton climb the Premier League table, something that would stand him in good stead to rebuild his reputation under a manager who has not only taken on a risk by signing him but is experienced in playing as an attacking midfielder, which is one of Alli's most impactful positions.

It could become the perfect master and the apprentice relationship for the Chelsea legend and Spurs outcast, which could be an incredible boost for Everton's future if the pair can work together to get the very best out of the £22.5m-rated star.

Alli has now been given his second chance to become the player he is capable of being, and with hard work under his new manager he could rectify the problems of the past and even get in with a shout to be in contention with a spot at the World Cup in Qatar with England in December if he can prove he still has what it takes to play consistently at the highest level.

That being said, it is hard to ignore those inconsistencies we've spoken about. His market value has fallen off a cliff and it is yet another expensive gamble from Farhad Moshiri.

The majority shareholder loves to fantasise over a star and in the £100k-per-week Dele, he has forked out what could end up being a meteoric sum of money again. After all, this is a transfer that could come back to haunt him if they end up paying the full £40m potentially involved in the transfer.

That is why it is imperative Lampard gets the most from him immediately.

In other news: Lampard must axe Holgate in defensive masterclass