What Valerien Ismael needs as Watford plan for the January transfer window

April 21, 2024

The winter transfer window opens on January 1, 2024.

With one month to go, The Athletic looks at Watford’s plans to strengthen in various positions. But before assessing potential activity, it’s important to factor in the unpredictable elements that will influence ins and outs.

Firstly, there’s AFCON (January 13 to February 11) which brings Imran Louza (Morocco) and Edo Kayembe (DR Congo) into the conversation. If called up, they could miss as many as eight league games (in addition to an FA Cup third-round tie at the start of January) depending on report dates and progress in the tournament.

Morocco and DR Congo are both in Group F, with the first games on January 17. Players may need to report for pre-tournament camps or go direct to Ivory Coast, the tournament hosts, after the matches against Bristol City (home, Boxing Day), Stoke City (home, December 28) or Plymouth Argyle (away, New Year’s Day).

At this point, it’s far from certain that either player will go to AFCON but it is part of Watford’s planning. Kayembe was selected for the most recent World Cup qualifiers against Mauritania and Sudan but didn’t make it off the bench. Louza — who went to the last AFCON in January 2022 — hasn’t played for Morocco since June.

Louza’s chances aren’t helped by the fact that he’s been an unused sub in four of Watford’s last six matches. Kayembe has started all of those games, so if he were to go and Louza remains, then the Moroccan’s club opportunities may improve.

Imran Louza is a flexible option for Watford (Julian Finney/Getty Images)

While not starting under Valerien Ismael at the moment, Louza is still viewed as an important element in the squad. Rather than focusing on letting him go to another club this January, he is viewed internally as someone who can still have an impact this season as a No 8 or a No 6.

The latter position is being given great attention ahead of January but not with an aggressive plan to bring someone in; more to watch how things develop over the coming games. Why? Because of Jake Livermore. The 34-year-old has grown into the role and started the last eight games (of which Watford have only lost one). Ismael’s preference is to have a physical presence in that position who can also drop into a back three when out of possession. Francisco Sierralta remains a backup option along with Louza, and Kayembe if need be.

The evolution of the squad with Livermore as first choice means there’s no rush to recruit another No 6 because he will be difficult to displace, but the club’s hierarchy — in consultation with Ismael — is keeping an open mind. Watford have used 23 players this season, the joint second lowest in the Championship (Bristol City and West Brom have used 22) and unnecessarily bringing in another player, with first-choice and backup options already in the building, goes against the grain.

That’s why, at the moment, there aren’t any active plans to bring in midfielder Etienne Camara from sister club Udinese. The 20-year-old, formerly of Huddersfield Town, is a viable option but having featured only once for Udinese and needing games, he would only come into the conversation if he were to be an automatic pick. It may be that Gino Pozzo and Udinese’s direct hierarchy feel another loan is more suitable.

Etienne Camara (centre) playing for France Under-20s in May (Juan Mabromata/AFP via Getty Images)

The winter grind of matches — Watford have eight between now and New Year’s Day — opens the risk of possible injuries (as was seen with a spate last season) plus suspensions, which could influence decisions on all positions, including No 6. Livermore is one of three players — along with Wesley Hoedt and Louza — at risk of a one-game suspension, having picked up four bookings. The good news is the cut-off for that is the next game, against Hull City on Saturday, after which it is reset.

When the window opens, Watford are considering bringing in depth in the left centre-back position to provide backup for their only left-footer, Hoedt. He is one of only four centre-backs with Ryan Porteous, Sierralta and Mattie Pollock. If they can find the right reinforcement and there are no other absentees, that may allow 22-year-old Pollock to go out on loan again, as he did last January to Aberdeen.

Jeremy Ngakia’s ankle injury has moved right-back reinforcement higher up the priority list. Ryan Andrews, who recently signed a new deal, is the only fit right-back with few suitable options to deputise, other than a switch of flanks for either James Morris or even Ken Sema. The speed of Ngakia’s recovery will dictate how soon they act but lists have been drawn up, as they have in most positions.

Although Yaser Asprilla has raised his profile over the last few games and is seen as a key future star, the club are weighing up whether to pursue an orthodox right-winger to complement Sema on the left. Last January, Manchester United’s Facundo Pellistri was a preferred target when Slaven Bilic was in charge, albeit the Uruguayan had other more high-profile options. In the end, his name was taken off the table by Erik ten Hag and, although Watford had a list of other options, none came close to joining.

Facundo Pellistri was a target for Watford (Yasin Akgul/AFP via Getty Images)

As with Asprilla currently doing well on the right, Mileta Rajovic — who has seven goals this season — is well-liked by the hierarchy as first-choice No 9. They will keep a close eye on the market for genuine competition, though. Ismael is content with Vakoun Bayo as a rotation option but the team shape — a 4-3-3 formation — is unlikely to suit Rhys Healey.

Therefore, if Watford want a player of a similar profile to Rajovic, then Bournemouth striker Kieffer Moore, who popped onto their radar in the closing stages of the last window, may come under consideration again. He’s had limited time in the Premier League so far and is likely to have various options after coming close to leaving in the summer.

One thing is for certain: there will be fewer competing voices as Watford try to get deals done. Last January was complicated by internal politics involving new technical director Ben Manga and his team. Now that they have gone, it’s down to those who were there before to make sure Ismael is given the right tools to push Watford on.

(Top photo: Valerien Ismael; Paul Harding via Getty Images)

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