If there's one thing that was true about Everton's 2025 summer transfer window it's that it lived up to the hype of not being boring. The expectations coming into the summer were that a lot of players would leave (and they did) and that the club would have to work quite hard to bolster the squad for this season and beyond (which they also did).
There is plenty to be said about what Everton missed out on this window and what they could have done, but the window as a whole was a strong one, filled with both players who can immediately contribute (but who may not be here long) and guys who should add to the current team over time, but whose primary purpose is predicated upon their future production.
In the end, the Toffees added nine new players, so let's rank them in terms of their expected impact on the team for this season.
No. 9: GK Tom King, joined from Wolves
No disrespect to King, but he's coming in as the third goalkeeper who will probably spend most of the season staying sharp in case he's needed behind Jordan Pickford and another signing from this summer.
If he's called into action, the season may be in trouble.
No. 8: GK Mark Travers, joined from Bournemouth
Maybe it's rude to put both goalkeepers at the bottom of the list, but when you have Pickford as your no.1 option, adding 'keeper depth, while necessary, isn't the most exciting move.
The hope is that Travers doesn't have to see much game time outside of an early cup matches, which he already may be past. He appears to be a solid no.2 option, but he doesn't move the needle for this season.
No.7: MF Merlin Rohl, joined from Freiburg (loan)
The main issue here isn't talent, but where David Moyes is going to deploy the youngster. Whether he gets enough pitch time will be something to watch.
He's almost guaranteed to be here past his loan given the obligation trigger, so this move may be more about the future than now.
No.6: LB Adam Aznou, joined from Bayern Munich
There is a chance that this ends up being too low for the teenager, especially if Vitalii Mykolenko is out again for extended period, provided Aznou is fit from his own injury.
In the long term, Aznou would be a no-brainer to be higher up this list, and I may be wrong about his impact for this season, but at this moment, he feels more like a future move.
No.5: MF Charly Alcaraz, joined from Flamengo
Given the other attacking talent that Everton brought in this window, Alcaraz was bound to fall down the pecking order a bit. This doesn't mean he's due to languish on the bench this season, just that his starts are going to decrease.
That said, he's a tremendous option off the bench, as a player who is going to work hard and provide creativity and goal scoring if the team is struggling. Every squad needs a player like Charly, and even though the terms of his deal are a little bizarre, it will be good to have him this season.
No.4: RW Tyler Dibling, joined from Southampton
Dibling falls right in the middle in terms of current and future impacts on the club.
At just 19 years of age, the hope is that he'll be at Everton for many years to come, changing the game from the right wing opposite a guy like Iliman Ndiaye.
For this season, there's no doubt he'll get his opportunities, but he will need to earn them and be ready to step up when they come. Squad rotation will allow him starts, but the current attacking group is off to a great start, so Dibling will need to understand his role, for now and for the future.
No.3: CF Thierno Barry, joined from Villarreal
You could swap out Dibling and Barry and still be accurate, although it certainly seems like David Moyes trusts his young striker enough to let him work through the growing pains of another new league on the pitch.
Beto may end up getting the bulk of the starts, but Barry will have his chances. As he continues to develop, hopefully, the goals will come. But there's no doubt the future is bright for the 22-year-old.
No.2: MF Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, joined from Chelsea
He's already shown his quality on the ball this season, and scored an absolute rocket in Everton's 3-2 win over Wolves last weekend.
If this were a list of players who will impact Everton the most in two or three years time, KDH would be a lot lower. But for the now, for this season, his abilities are going to be massive for Everton's successes.
Sure, the fee was a bit high for a guy his age, but he's still young enough (he turns 27 this weekend) that he can be a useful player for a few years.
No.1: LW Jack Grealish, joined from Manchester City (loan)
Very little doubt here, at least based on this season, since Grealish is the ultimate move for now loan. The fee to keep him will be so high, especially given his age (he'll turn 30 next week), that his spell at Everton likely won't extend past this year.
So, much like KDH, if this were a list focused on the future impacts, Grealish would be at the bottom. But for this year, he can help transform Everton's attack, provided he keeps up the pace he's on so far.
There will certainly be ups and downs to his season, but so much of Everton's ability to be successful in 2025/26 will, for better or for worse, be connected to Jack Grealish.