According to reports, Watford are close to agreeing on a deal for Sunderland defender Younes Kaboul. The former Tottenham Hotspur centre-back has been earmarked by Walter Mazzarri as the ideal candidate to bolster their defence. Watford have been on the lookout for a central defender all summer and their quest seems to be nearing completion finally.
With the 3-5-2 system Mazzarri employs, the need for solid defenders who are comfortable on the ball and will not be hesitant in receiving the ball in tight areas is of paramount importance.
Younes Kaboul was an integral part of the Spurs team and was touted to join Watford after his stint at Tottenham, but ended up at Sunderland.
He played a key role in the Black Cats successful relegation battle last season and also started the narrow 2-1 defeat at the hands of Manchester City on the opening day of the season.
Mazzarri is reportedly keen on utilising his profound experience in the Premier League and will offer the player a 3-year deal.
Kaboul signed for Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League on 5 July 2007 for an undisclosed fee believed to be around £8 million. He quickly became a fan favourite, admired for his power and aggression on the pitch. He played his first game for Tottenham in a friendly against St. Patrick’s Athletic on 12 July.
He made his Premier League bow paired alongside Anthony Gardner in the centre of the defence in a game against Sunderland which they lost 1-0. He went on to make 29 appearances in his initial spell scoring 4 goals in the process.
But he was sold to Portsmouth in 2008 where he played 50 matches for them and scored 5 goals. The merry-go-round continued when the player rejoined Spurs in 2010 for an undisclosed fee believed to have been around £9.5m. He settled into the squad and soon established himself as an integral component. He started off at right-back and was impressive in the position before switching to the centre-back role. Harry Redknapp had stated then that the player was ‘much improved from his first spell at the club’ and termed the defender as being a ‘late bloomer’. He has also earned 5 caps for the France national team.
Kaboul is known for his all-action playing style and his impeccable tackling. He is comfortable on the ball and likes to dribble his way out of trouble. He can adjust to a no-nonsense style of play as well and his inclusion will lend leadership and proven Premier League pedigree at the back for Watford.
