Watford are expected to look like a whole new squad in the second half of the season. On paper, Walter Mazzarri has done the most exciting business in the ongoing January transfer window so far and if the first half of the season was about glimpses of their organised defending, the second half looks more likely to be a tale of their attacking prowess.
The Hornets have been hugely ineffective in front of the goal so far. They have managed to score only 25 goals in 22 games this season and it has been one of the major reasons they are closer to the relegation zone despite having some impressive displays in the league.
Despite bringing in four centre-forwards last summer in Stefano Okaka, Obbi Oulare, Jerome Sinclair and Mathias Ranegie, Mazzarri had to heavily depend on their seasoned striker Troy Deeney to bag the goals. And the fact that their highest goal scorer has scored only 5 goals so far, pretty much sums up their offensive displays.
Consequently, the Italian manager has been desperate to bring in more options after all his strikers surprisingly failed to make any kind of impact on the game. He straight away put Tom Cleverley in an attacking midfielder’s role, which had more or less hinted his intent in the transfer window. It was followed by a move for a former proven English Premier League striker Mauro Zarate. And now, various sources are stating that the second attacker to move to Vicarage Road is AC Milan winger M’baye Niang.
The 22-year-old French international will reportedly join the Hornets on an initial loan deal for €1 million before completing a move for €16 million next summer. The player has given the green-light for the switch to England and now the two clubs just need to discuss a few loose ends before the move is completed.
Niang’s Serie A career has been full of ups and downs. When he first moved to Italy in 2012 from Caen, he found it too difficult to settle there and needed to be loaned back to French side Montpellier before returning to Italy at Genoa. This time he looked to have found some ground and under new AC Milan boss Vincenzo Montella he flourished but only as a substitute.
It was in the 2015-16 season that Niang showed some of his sublime skills but unfortunately it was thwarted by an injury and he could only make 16 appearances that year. He managed to score five and assist five. He has failed to make any real impact since then as this season he could score only three and assist the same in 18 outings.
A new club definitely brings in more vibrancy in a player and Mazzarri will bet heavily on that instinct hoping that Niang finds back his form at Vicarage Road.
