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The start of the football season seems to be what was required to convince dawdling football clubs to get their act together in the transfer market. Recently concluded deals include Joe Allen’s switch from Swansea to Liverpool, Manchester United’s signing of South American starlet Ángelo Henríquez and Michael Kightly’s move to Stoke from Wolves. But will the new boys go on to great things at their new clubs, or be remembered for falling flat on their faces? The Life’s a Pitch team takes a look.

“It’s quite obvious why he’s been signed, he’s someone who can express Brendan Rodgers’ football philosophy on the field,” explains the Sunday Telegraph’s Duncan White of £15m man Allen (pictured). “He’s a facilitator rather than a particularly spectacular player, he does the simple things absolutely brilliantly. I’m a big fan of his. He’s exactly the sort of signing that Liverpool needed to help knit together some of the more individual talents they have. I think very much a hit.”

It looks like the 18-year-old Henríquez could go straight back out on loan, but the Times’ Rory Smith is expecting big things, in time. “He’s very well thought of, and has been compared to Marcelo Salas. He is an emerging star of South American football. Man Utd have had a deal in place to sign him for €4m at any point before he turns 20. They’ve called it in now. I find the timing strange, I doubt he’ll be involved a lot with the first team. A hit, but not this season.”

And although Kightly scored on his debut for Stoke, footballer-turned-journalist Adrian Clarke has his reservations. “Kightly’s a talent, he’s done very well, come through the non-league game and did very well at Wolves. But injury curtailed his progression, he didn’t play much football last season. He was loaned to Watford, where he did OK. I suspect that at Championship level he’s a player who can shine; at Premier League level, I’m not so sure. And I’m not convinced that he’ll be a regular, either. I’ll give this one a reluctant miss.”

Watch the full video discussion by clicking on the play button in the image above. Please note this video was recorded before the weekend’s matches.

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Stoke v Arsenal, 1pm, 26 August, Sky Sports 1
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