Watford will be looking for huge improvements in the upcoming season as they almost got dragged into a relegation battle from a seemingly safe position in the last one. They finished a dismal 14th where once it looked like they will easily find a spot in the top half of the table. The team has a lot of gaps to fill and they are now looking to sign Yasin Ben El-Mhanni who is currently at Newcastle United but his contract is set to expire by the end of this month and the Hornets could have him for free.
El-Mhanni was recently involved in a controversy with United’s Under-23 coach Peter Beardsley. The player had alleged that the gaffer treated him unfairly, bullied and discriminated against him in January. An independent appeal ruled in favour of the player and it is expected now that the player will leave the club in the summer.
The Hornets will have to fight for his signature as various clubs are after the 22-year-old winger. The player moved to St. James’ Park in 2016 but has never made a Premier League appearance for them. Though he has two appearances to his name which came in domestic cup competitions.
The player was born in England to Moroccan parents and thereby can decide to represent any of the two countries in future.
Javi Gracia is probably looking to bring an able replacement for Gerard Deulofeu and El-Mhanni will have to fight for his spot to get regular playing opportunities. It is unlikely that he will straightaway be drafted in the first team as he doesn’t have much experience in the Premier League. However, his versatility will be a good asset as he can play down the left wing as well and even in a more central No. 10 role.
The pressure will be on Javi Gracia to deliver a respectable finish next season as he ended the last term on a bad note. The team is in need of defensive cover as they let in 64 goals last season.
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El-Mhanni is a decent talent and is well adept in going past his players but needs to bring more to his game as he often fails to deliver telling balls after getting in good positions and he needs to add more goals to his game. The 22-year-old is untested at the top level so this can be a slightly risky buy for the Hornets. However, he will be available for free so that will certainly cut down some of the losses if the player fails to flourish at Vicarage Road.
