La Liga Leaks: Scouting for.. Watford

Introducing..

Watford enjoyed a mixed season on their return to the top flight but the most important objective was achieved - and that was staying up. Troy Deeney and Odion Ighalo fired them to within touching distance of the top six but a poor run of form at the end of the season saw Watford drop to 13th and ultimately cost Quique Sanchez Flores his job.

Isaac Success has joined the club to help bolster their attacking options while Christian Kabasele, Brice Dja Djedje and Camilo Zuniga offer more options in defence and midfield. The squad is strong if Watford are going to stick with a 5-3-2/3-5-2 system, plus it’s able to switch to a 4-3-3 if they need a goal or two.

Problem areas

The issue with having a - on the face of it - defensive formation is it depends heavily on creativity when you are looking to break and that’s something this Watford side really lacks. There are plenty of heavy tacklers, hard workers in that midfield engine room but not one appears able to unlock defences with a killer through ball or chip in with crucial goals.

Who could they sign?

The first name I’d suggest is Valencia’s Dani Parejo. He’s made the headlines in recent weeks after he sulked when the club didn’t accept a bid from Sevilla for his services. This has caused an already uncomfortable relationship with the fans to become even worse and despite his apology to the playing staff, most supporters wouldn’t lose too much sleep if he did end up leaving.

Parejo is a very accomplished midfielder but has struggled, at times, to exert his influence on proceedings at Valencia. Even at his worst he’s still one of the best performers at the club but he’s never been a fan favourite. Parejo has hit double figures for goals in the last two seasons and if he’s given a more attacking, free role could turn out even better. Comfortable at centre midfield too, his ability to thread a pass further up the field to Watford’s impressive forward line should result in lots of goals.

The other choice is Recio from Malaga. He’s a real all-rounder in the middle of the park but has improved dramatically over the past 12-18 months. Apt at getting his hards dirty if more men are needed to defend but he’s equally as create when allowed to venture forward. Predominately right-footed but good on his left too, he’s someone that could attract the attention of bigger clubs in a year or so. Recio would jump at the chance to join a Premier League side.