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The ever-competitive nature of the Premier League means teams are always on the lookout for talented players to help them progress. Here, the Life’s a Pitch gang assess whether the arrivals of Bryan Oviedo at Everton, Esteban Granero (pictured) at QPR and Steven Nzonzi at Stoke will help improve their new clubs’ fortunes.

“He’s 22, so the right sort of age,” starts the Sunday Telegraph’s Jason Burt on Oviedo, whom Everton signed from FC Copenhagen. “I can’t imagine he’s going to be a starter for the first team straight away. Clearly [he's been] brought in as a deputy to Leighton Baines, but he’s got some versatility about him so can also play in midfield. I’m actually quite surprised that he cost as much as £5m, so he obviously is a good player. He looks like a classic David Moyes player to develop for the future and maybe, in one or two years’ time, we’ll all be raving about him. I think he’ll probably be a hit.”

Footballer-turned-journalist Adrian Clarke is expecting a more immediate impact from Granero at QPR after his move from Real Madrid. “This is a good-quality player, very talented and classy on the ball. I think QPR have done marvellously to get him there. I do expect him to perform well because he’s got the ability, the issue for me is how QPR will fare. He’s got the pedigree, he’s got the talent, so providing QPR don’t endure a nightmare campaign, I think he’ll be a big hit.”

How former Blackburn midfielder Nzonzi performs at Stoke is entirely down to him, reckons the Daily Mirror’s John Cross. “He’s an outstanding footballer: he’s got power, pace, he’s a big, wiry figure who can dominate midfield. The downside is his attitude on the pitch. He can be incredibly lazy. I saw him play appallingly at Swansea for Blackburn when they were supposed to be fighting for their lives. If he rises to the occasion, then I’ve no doubt that he’ll be a hit. I have got some reservations, but I’d like him to succeed.”

Watch the full video discussion by clicking on the play button in the image above.

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Watch Everton and QPR live on BT Vision:
Swansea v Everton, 12.30pm, 22 September, Sky Sports 2
QPR v West Ham, 7pm, 1 October, Sky Sports 1

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