Watford opinion: The Hornets should win the race for Juanpe Ramirez
Watford finished the season as FA Cup finalists but things could have gone so much better for the club. They were doing exceptionally well and were challenging Wolves for the final Europa League spot but just one win in their last five games dropped them below tenth place.
It meant that the Hornets would have no European football next season and that is a massive blow.
Especially, when you look at how Javi Gracia changed that team for the better. In fact, he did so well with the club that they managed wins against West Ham, Everton and even Leicester City.
Not only that, the Hornets played good and attractive football, something that they’ve failed to do in the past. Things became so bad for the club that they even sacked former manager Marco Silva half-way through last season.
It’s one of the many reasons why Watford maybe even deserved a top-seven spot. But that’s in the past and one look at their current crop of players means that the Hornets need refreshing. Barring Christian Kabasele, no Watford centre-back is below the age of 30.
Their right-backs are 28 and 29, with only their midfield in great shape for next season. Their front line needs to dispose of both Ken Sema and Isaac Success with more reliable and consistent players.
That maybe a rare commodity in this day and age but’s it’s something Watford have to do to thrive, not just survive.
The Hornets have a decent group of players and with a few right additions across the board, it could change the team for the better. It could change them from a mid-table club to a club that could challenge for the top-7 and maybe play European football.
However, they need to make the changes and the first player they should be targeting is Juanpe Ramirez. The Liverpool Echo has reported that both Watford and Everton are keen on a move for the Getafe center-back.
The 28-year-old has seen his stock consistently rise since a move to Getafe in 2016, with him performing at a very high and consistent level.
A defensive rock, Juanpe Ramirez flourishes as a center-back using a combination of old school defending and modern day ball holding. It is just the combination that Watford need in their ranks and someone like Juanpe Ramirez will flourish in England.
No stranger to physical football, the 28-year-old thrives in that situation and it’s why the Premier League would love him.
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Conclusion
Juanpe Ramirez needs to make a move to test himself in new waters and Watford will help him with. The Hornets need new additions to help change their fortunes and Ramirez can be just the man to do that.