Why Marco Silva Should Bring This Leicester City Outcast To Add Depth To Watford’s Attack
Watford are enjoying a decent run of games in the top half of the points table and Marco Silva is definitely getting his side to play a brand of football that even the best teams in the country are struggling against. The manager has a decent squad of players at his disposal but if he wants to compete for a place in Europe, he might need a few additions in the January transfer market.
This has seen Watford linked with January moves for a number of star players but one player extensively wanted by the Hornets is Leicester City outcast Islam Slimani, who is rated at £22.5m.
A record-buy for the one time Premier League Champions, Slimani is a target man, who is known for his strength and hold up play along with his ability to find the back of the net instinctively. He was expected to be a productive partner for Jamie Vardy but under Claudio Ranieri and now under Claude Puel, he has just not been able to establish a place in the first team at the King Power.
Reports all over the media claim that he is sure to quit Leicester come January and Watford are one of many teams that are interested in his services. So, is he the right man for Marco Silva?
Strong with headers and smart with his movement in and around the box, Slimani is a proper No. 9, who can also create chances and drop deep when needed. A threat in most set-piece situations, he is a player who loves to assert himself physically and is a player most defenders hate to mark.
He has four League Cup goals in just three starts this season but has struggled in the nine appearances he made in the domestic league, registering merely an assist. However, he recorded seven goals and four assists in just 13 starts, during his first season in the country and if given enough chances, he can turn into a star player for most clubs in England.
He has 48 goals and 14 assists in 82 Liga Nos appearances, which shows his quality in front of goal and at 29, he is in his prime as a footballer and can be a huge addition to the Hornets.
Having lost Odion Ighalo after just one productive season, Watford decided to spend on Andre Gray in the summer from Burnley. In 10 starts this season, he has two goals and two assists and is far from being their most productive player. Troy Deeney, with two goals and an assist, has also not been effective, which has made Silva desperate for Slimani.
Though the Algerian international will not add a different dimension in attack, he is certainly a player who can eclipse the quality in the current squad, if given enough chances. Hence, he seems like a signing Watford should definitely make.