After finishing in 17th place last season, Watford knew they had some serious work to do over the summer. They first started by appointing ex-Hull City boss Marco Silva as their new manager. They then went out and signed 13 new players. This included Andre Gray from Burnley on whom they spent just over £18m and broke their club transfer record.
The shift in both manager and personal seems to have done Watford the world of good as they currently find themselves in 4th place in the Premier League. And they have just beaten Arsenal 2-1. But which new signings have been integral to Watford’s new found success and which ones have underperformed? Here are the Watford summer signing’s player ratings.
Andre Gray: 6/10
As mentioned already, Gray is Watford’s most expensive transfer. So, naturally, Watford would have been expecting big things from the former Burnley striker.
Unfortunately for Watford, he has not really delivered. Gray has played in every Watford league game this season, starting six of the eight games. But in those eight games, he has only managed one goal and one assist.
Given that Gray is a centre-forward and that he is Watford’s most expensive signing, a return of one goal in eight games is simply not good enough.
Gray does, however, offer some much-needed pace up front that the likes of Troy Deeney could not. But in terms of goal scoring, a striker’s primary job, he has not done great and therefore, you could argue he has not been a great signing. Especially when you consider Watford broke their transfer record for him.
Richarlison: 9/10
Richarlison was Watford’s second most expensive signings this summer costing just over £11m. He is also only 20 so people may not have expected too much from the youngster. However, he has been one of Watford’s best attackers this season. In eight Premier League games, he has managed three goals and two assists.
The winger is also fast, great on the ball and strong. This makes him an excellent winger and a danger to any Premier League defence.
Also, given that he is just 20, he still has years to grow as a player. Watford looks to have snagged a great buy with Richarlison as he could well develop into one of the best wingers in the league.
Tom Cleverley: 7.5/10
After spending the second half of last season on loan at Watford, Cleverley made the permanent switch to Watford over the summer.
So far this season he has started every league game for Watford and earned one goal and one assist, which isn’t the worst record for a CM. Cleverley also brings a host of Premier League experience with him as he has played 168 Premier League games. He’s also a versatile player who can play left mid, attacking mid, right mid and of course centre mid.
Cleverley is not the best defending-wise. But he is good at starting attacking plays and going forward and is also part of the reason why Watford have scored the 4th most goals in the league this season. Only the Manchester clubs and Spurs have scored more.
Will Hughes: 2/10
Hughes cost Watford just over £8 mill in the summer. And the 22-year-old midfielder looked an exciting signing after seasons of impressing at Derby County in the Championship.
However, this season Hughes has played just once for Watford. That was in the League Cup where he did get an assist. Apart from that though, he has not featured for Watford and has even struggled to make Watford’s 18 man squad’s, never mind making an appearance.
Therefore, given that Watford paid £8m for him and the fact he has not made a league appearance yet, he should be considered a poor signing.
Nathaniel Chalobah: 8/10
Chalobah is another player who has spent time on loan at Watford and then made the permanent switch this summer.
Chalobah started out this season great for Watford. He is a very much defensive minded centre mid which is why he hasn’t earned a goal or assist this season. But he has been excellent defensively for Watford.
For example in the five games he played in, Watford kept three clean sheets in them and since he suffered his injury, Watford have not kept a clean sheet since. This shows Chalobah played a key part in Watford’s defence.
Hopefully, for Watford, he is back in the squad before Christmas after having to undergo surgery on his knee.
Chalobah is also only 22 so he too has plenty of time to improve as a player.
Marvin Zeegelaar: N/A
Zeegelaar was lacking in match fitness after not playing any games in the preseason for his previous club Sporting CP. This meant he hasn’t been fit enough for Watford and has yet to debut for them. While he might play later in the season, right now he has been a quite pointless signing.
André Carrillo: 5.5/10
Watford secured Carrillo on a season-long loan from Portuguese side Benfica. This will have excited many fans as Carrillo is a fast tricky exciting winger.
However, while he has played in six league games for Watford, either as a right mid or right wing, he is yet to register a goal or assist. No goals or assists isn’t exactly what you want from such an attacking player and Watford will be hoping Carrillo can start contributing more in the coming weeks.
The transfer is only a loan though. So, if he doesn’t do great, Watford have not had to spend much on him.
Kiko Femenía: 7.5/10
Femenía arrived at Watford on a free transfer and he has already become their main right back. He has played in seven of their eight league games and his overall play has been solid. He earned an assist for Watford in their game vs Southampton.
Also, he was not in the squad when Watford were destroyed 6-0 by Manchester City. So, when Femenía has been in Watford’s team, they have kept three clean sheets and generally looked solid at the back. Therefore, given Femenía was a free transfer that has become a mainstay in a decent Watford defence, he should be classed as a solid signing.
Daniel Bachmann: N/A
Bachmann has yet to make an appearance for Watford’s senior team.
Dimitri Foulquier: N/A
Foulquier has also yet to appear in any capacity for Watford.
Molla Wague: 2/10
Wague joined Watford on loan this season. He has featured just once for Watford playing 45minutes vs Swansea. He looks to be just a squad rotation player which is ok as they have got him on loan.
Orestis Karnezis: N/A
Watford signed Karnezis on a season-long loan from Udinese. But he is yet to play for Watford and looks to have been signed as a substitute keeper.
