Watford insider on Ismaila Sarr, Emmanuel Dennis, and more
Daniel Moroney updates Football(In Detail) readers on the latest news from Vicarage Road.
The final whistle finally whistled, capping a forgettable day for Watford. After losing in the Premier League for the 25th time, Watford would officially be going down to the Championship. Unsurprising, the gnarly threat of demotion was looming over their heads for all of this campaign.
Tortured by terrific attacking tandem from Michael Olise and Wilfried Zaha, the latter was the one who firmly shoved Watford into the red. But despite Zaha’s penalty and Crystal Palace’s 1-0 lead that confirmed Watford’s relegation, Watford has only themselves to blame.
Although Rob Edwards and Watford have a chance to extinguish the burning dumpster fire of Watford’s season, they will likely have to do without some of their key players. Watford insider and Back Page Football columnist Daniel Moroney agreed to share the news he collected from sources that could mean terrible news for fans of The Hornets.
DA: Transfermarkt places Senegalese winger Ismaila Sarr as the most valuable player on Watford's roster. Do you think he will stick with them in the Championship, or leave for greener pastures?
DM: Yes, Ismaila Sarr is certainly Watford's most valuable asset. This season, he has been a shadow of who he is and what he was like in previous seasons at Watford. Yet, with that being said, it has been a strange season for him. Sarr missed a lot of games through injury. He also attended the African Cup Of Nations in January. However, both parties likely will part ways this summer, with Sarr currently looking for a move away. Sarr even recruited a new agent in the last few weeks. Watford is “satisfied” to sell him to generate funds for new Watford manager Rob Edwards, so he will leave as the Hornets actively look for around €40 million.
DA: My second question is about Moroccan midfielder Imran Louza. His defensive capability is earning him attention from multiple clubs throughout Europe. Could he blossom into the Championship's elite if he stays with Watford?
DM: Imran Louza is a fantastic midfielder. When he features for Watford this season, he mostly plays well. Many clubs are interested in him all across Europe, and I am sure there will be bids. Yet Watford wants to keep him, and Edwards sees him as a crucial player for the Hornets. He will light up the championship with his ability if Louza stays.
DA: West Ham and Villarreal are allegedly planning bids upwards of 20 million euros for Nigeria's Emmanuel Dennis. Do you think Watford will keep their top scorer or sell him for the highest price?
DM: Emmanuel Dennis is set to leave Watford at the end of the season. I was told by a source he is in advanced negotiations with a certain club. His form of late for the Hornets hasn’t been great, so I think it’s best for both parties to part ways. Watford should get around (€18-€25) million off his sale.
DA: 40-cap Nigerian midfielder Peter Etebo is set to return to Stoke City. Could Watford reverse their decision and make the deal permanent?
DM: Peter Etebo is set to leave Watford after Watford decided to not make his loan deal permanent. He is set to return to Stoke City and plan his future. I was told he does not want to stay at Stoke, so a departure is expected.
DA: Cameroonian legend Nicolas N'Koulou was picked up from free agency in October. After just three Premier League appearances, Watford fans are questioning his role in the team. Should Vicarage Road evict N'Koulou?
DM: N’Koulou will leave Watford at the end of the season via free agency. I’m not sure what’s going on with him as he hasn’t been training with the first team recently. He is not injured as he returned from a long-term injury. This is a questionable deal that Watford has done. One thing that's sure is it has not paid dividends.
DA: Edo Kayembe is skilled defensively but lacks lethality on offense. Could the Congolese international have a breakout season in the Championship?
DM: Edo Kayembe will be a crucial player for Watford next season and has the ability of a top player. Unfortunately, we have not seen Edo much since his arrival in January. But he has been fantastic of late and has played the last few games, a rare sight this season.
DA: Although William Troost-Ekong leads Nigeria into battle as their captain, he has been less than great for Watford. FBREF plus-minus metric places him at -11. Is that a problem for Watford?
DM: William Troost-Ekong is expected to leave Watford at the end of the season due to a lack of game time under all three managers this season. It does not look good on Ekong’s part. He has been professional this season and will always give his best. But it is fair to say he has struggled to adapt to the Premier League. Unless Watford’s new man Rob Edwards decides he wants Ekong part of his plans, he will leave.
DA: Super Eagles' first-choice keeper Maduka Okoye is headed to Vicarage Park after a fine season for Sparta Rotterdam. How big will his impact be?
DM: Maduka Okoye will be critical for Watford next season and beyond. He is highly regarded by fans and people close to him. Okoye will be Watford’s No.1 GK next season after the announcement of Ben Foster leaving the Hornets in the summer. Okoye is a great, young, and promising keeper who can play with the ball at his feet. He has top-tier distribution, along with many other promising attributes. All of that led to Watford buying him in January.
DA: Finally, do you think Watford will be active in the transfer market as they eye promotion?
DM: Yes, I think Watford will have a busy window with incoming and outgoings for the new season as they will look to bounce back to the Premier League. They will also want to back their new manager with signings. I had a conversation with Watford's Sporting Director on Sunday after the humiliating defeat to Leicester (5-1). He told me, “We will lose and bring in many players in the summer.” This gave me some confidence after that quite shocking display.