After a promising start to last season under Walter Mazzari, Watford found themselves as high as 8th mid-way through September and picked up a memorable 3-1 victory at home to Manchester United. However through a variety of reasons including mass injury, Watford’s fine form was quickly cut short and the season never really picked up again, with Watford finally finishing in 17th place.
With that said, things seem to be looking up for Watford, with the acquisition of Marco Silva as head coach, who impressed under his time as Hull City, and a slight change in transfer policy- including the signings of Will Hughes and Nathanial Chalobah.
Watford fans will be hoping that Silva can bring an energetic, exciting style of football to Vicarage Road, similar to what he achieved at Hull City in their desperate attempts to stay up.
STAR MAN – Roberto Pereyra (6.0m)
After signing from Juventus in the summer of 2016, Watford fans had high hopes that Pereyra could push them up the table and play a vital role in their attempts to remain a premier league side. However after a fairly quiet start with a few glimpses of magic, Pereyra picked up an injury in December which saw him miss the rest of the season through injury.
Under new head coach Marco Silva, and after a full pre-season, it looks as though Pereyra is set to play as part of a front 3 or sit just behind the striker. Watford fans have high hopes for the former Juventus man and I think he will flourish under Marco Silva in an attacking role. Owned by 0.1%, Pereyra could prove a massive differential.
HIDDEN GEM – Nathanial Chalobah (4.5m)
After almost guiding Watford to the Premier League in 2012/13, Chalobah returns to the Hornets with one eye on Southgate’s World Cup squad.
The former Chelsea midfielder will be keen to impress and with it looking like he will play as part of a midfield 3 in a 4-3-3. There is plenty of potential for attacking returns, particularly with Chalobah’s direct and forward play. Priced at just 4.5m, he makes a perfect final midfielder option.
BARGAIN – Sebastian Prödl (4.5m)
There is plenty of talk around which 4.5m defender to have in your squad, but in Sebastian Prödl, you have a man mountain who is guaranteed to start, being Watford’s best defender, and someone who is also very dangerous at attacking set pieces standing at 6ft 4′.
Marco Silva will be hopeful of guiding Watford as far up the table as possible, and with many tipping them for a top half finish, owning a Watford defender could prove a massive differential. Prödl is owned by just 0.7% of FPL players.
PREDICTED LINE-UP
Gomes
Femenia – Prödl – Kabasele – Holebas
Chalobah – Doucoure – Hughes
Pereyra – Deeney – Amrabat
If you have enjoyed this early view of the fantasy potential of Watford, be sure to check the other teams here.
Written by Jack (@jeaton__)
