Watford’s Transfer Concerns: Fans Worry as Ex-Sheffield United Man Joins
Watford will be hoping for a much-improved campaign in the Championship this season, but so far, they have yet to significantly add to their threadbare squad this summer.
The Hornets were among the play-off contenders following a strong first half of last season, but a decline in form after the turn of the year resulted in the sacking of Valerien Ismael in March.
After an improvement in results and performances during his caretaker spell, Tom Cleverley was handed the job on a permanent basis in April, but it was still an inconsistent end to the campaign for Watford as they finished 15th in the table.
Jonathan Bond, Antonio Tikvic, Moussa Sissoko, Rocco Vata, and Mamadou Doumbia have all arrived at Vicarage Road this summer. Cleverley completed his sixth signing of the window on Thursday as defender Yasser Larouci joined on loan from French third-tier outfit Troyes, with the deal including an option to buy.
Larouci came through the Liverpool academy before making the move to Troyes in the summer of 2021. He spent last season on loan at Sheffield United in the Premier League but struggled for game time at Bramall Lane.
Watford Fan Pundit Expresses Concern Amid Yasser Larouci Signing
FLW’s Watford fan pundit Justin Beattie says that it was important for the Hornets to sign a left-back this summer, but he admitted he has reservations about Larouci after his disappointing spell with Sheffield United. He also expressed concern about the lack of transfer activity at the club.
| Yasser Larouci’s career stats (according to Transfermarkt) | |||
| Club | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| Liverpool | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Troyes | 44 | 1 | 2 |
| Sheffield United | 13 | 0 | 0 |
“Whilst it’s fair to say that he struggled in the Premier League with Sheffield United last season, most Watford fans would agree that we do need to strengthen in the left-back or left wing-back position,” Justin told FLW.
“At the moment, we only seem to have James Morris who can play there, and we do need to have either a backup for him or someone that’s challenging his position.
“I think most Watford fans would probably welcome anyone at the moment as a signing coming in as our transfer window over the summer has been very sparse, and fans are starting to get concerned at the lack of any movement into the team.”
Yasser Larouci Deal is a Sign of Increasing Watford Panic
It has undoubtedly been a concerning summer for Watford supporters, and the signing of Larouci is unlikely to provide any reassurance.
Larouci could potentially thrive in the Championship, but he was part of a Sheffield United team that conceded a Premier League record 104 goals last season. Of his 13 appearances, only seven were starts.
With a lack of incomings and the potential for other key players to follow Ismael Kone out of the exit door, Hornets supporters are understandably worried ahead of the start of the new campaign. Pre-season defeats to the likes of Reading, Gillingham, and Wycombe Wanderers have done little to improve the mood.
Cleverley admitted after the loss to Wycombe on Wednesday night that there is still “a lot of work to do,” and having finished just six points above the bottom three last season, a relegation battle is not out of the question if the club are unable to bring in the necessary reinforcements.
As the new season looms, Watford’s transfer window has left fans anxious. The team’s current roster appears insufficient to mount a serious promotion challenge, and with only a few weeks left in the transfer window, Cleverley and the club’s management must act swiftly to address the squad’s deficiencies.
For Watford to avoid another disappointing season, significant signings are needed to bolster their ranks, and Larouci’s arrival must be the start of a busy end to the transfer window, rather than the end of it.
