Team Focus: Watford's Exciting Summer Signings Cause for Optimism at Vicarage Road

Atdhe Nuhiu’s last minute equaliser on the final day of the season denied Watford the opportunity to go up to the Premier League as champions, though that would merely have been the icing on the cake for the Hornets. After going through four managers over the course of the campaign - Giuseppe Sannino, Oscar Garcia, Billy McKinlay and finally Slavisa Jokanovic - Watford’s return to England’s top tier will now be managed by their fifth manager over the last 12 months in the form of Spaniard Quique Flores, formerly of Getafe, Atletico Madrid and Valencia. 

The Pozzo family have moved accordingly to give Flores the best possible chance of remaining in the Premier League next season having quickly strengthened the side in the transfer market. Etienne Capoue, Valon Behrami, Jose Holebas and Sebastian Prödl have all moved to Vicarage Road this summer, Matej Vydra - who enjoyed a second successful loan spell at the club last term - has signed permanently, while Heurelho Gomes - who starred in WhoScored’s Championship team of the season - put pen to paper on a new three-year deal.

Factoring in captain Troy Deeney’s new contract, things are certainly on the up for Watford. Only Daryl Murphy and Matt Ritchie (both 32) were directly involved in more league goals than Deeney (30) in the regular Championship campaign last season. His 21 league goals was bettered only by Murphy (27) and the skipper is likely to play a key role for Watford next term.

While Flores regularly started his Atletico Madrid side in a 4-4-2 formation between 2009 and 2011, the Spaniard has been experimenting with a 4-2-3-1 formation in pre-season. The capture of Capoue, therefore, is logical. The Frenchman, while failing to establish himself as a first team regular at White Hart Lane, makes for an astute acquisition for Watford. The club’s record signing averaged 2.4 tackles and 2.8 interceptions per game for Spurs when he did play under Pochettino last season. 

Alongside the versatile Behrami - who averaged more tackles per game (4.2) than any other player in the Bundesliga last season - the Frenchman will form a solid midfield base for the Hornets given that Adlène Guédioura - Watford’s highest rated player (7.57) last season - is unlikely to remain at the club for next season, despite reports that they were keen on retaining his services permanently. 

Crystal Palace boss Alan Pardew appears to have been impressed with the Algerian’s performances last season, so any permanent move looks to be off the cards. It’s little shock, in that case, that Watford are exploring other options, with Benjamin Stambouli high on Flores’ wish list. Spurs and Watford have agreed a fee for the Frenchman, but the player appears to have had second thoughts over the move after an apparent late bid from PSG. Watford are unlikely to give up their pursuit of the 24-year-old without a fight, but the acquisitions of Capoue and Behrami not only add top-flight experience to the starting XI, but show that Watford are a team headed in the right direction. 

This is further accentuated in the signing of Holebas, who traded Champions League football for the Premier League. The Greek was one of Roma’s more consistent performers in Serie A last season, with his WhoScored rating (7.27) enough to secure him a place in the team of the season in Italy’s top tier. 1.5 successful dribbles per game was a notable return for a left-back and shows how effective Holebas can be when he pushes forward. Furthermore, 2.5 tackles and 2.4 interceptions highlight that he does not shirk from his defensive responsibilities. 

Prödl’s arrival swells the defensive ranks and adds further experience to the team, which will be crucial in the upcoming campaign. Given this is also Flores’ debut season in England and that he has been out of work since tendering his resignation at Getafe back in February, Watford require all the experience they can get if they are to avoid relegation at the first time of asking. The signings made this summer already suggest they are investing adequately. 

Despite going through four different managers, Watford performed exceptionally well to secure automatic promotion and run eventual champions Bournemouth to the wire. The acquisitions of Capoue and Behrami in particular are real signs of intent from the newly-promoted team and match the tough-tackling needs of a double pivot in front of the backline. 

Watford fans have plenty to be optimistic about ahead of the upcoming campaign. They have enjoyed a good off-season thus far, what with the summer signings and contract renewals of key players. While further strengthening will be required before the 2015/16 season gets underway next month, it’s fair to say the Hornets are right to be buzzing for the upcoming campaign to start.

How well do you think Watford will fare in the Premier League next season? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below