Why Watford should take a punt on Crystal Palace’s Connor Wickham
According to The Telegraph, Watford are one of the clubs interested in signing Connor Wickham in January, with Roy Hodgson prepared to let the Crystal Palace striker leave on loan.
Connor Wickham, 26, has been struggling to find playing time at Crystal Palace and has made just 11 appearances in his last three seasons at the club. Injuries have played a massive role in hampering his career but having been fit since the start of the 2019/20 season. However, he has featured just three times this term and has failed to find the back of the net.
The report also claims that Championship outfit Nottingham Forest are interested in the former England U21 international.
Watford, meanwhile, fired Quique Sanchez Flores on Sunday less than three months into his second spell with the club after he led them to just one win in 10 league matches, leaving them at the bottom of the standings and seven points away from the safety zone.
Under-23 coach Hayden Mullins was in the dugout for Watford’s 2-0 defeat to Leicester City on Wednesday, and now The Athletic claims the Englishman will be given at least one more game as the club’s interim coach to prove his credentials.
The Hornets face a massive task to avoid relegation from the top-flight. They need to sign a few players during the January transfer window to avoid the drop.
Considering that the team has leaked 30 goals in 15 games, shoring up the backline has to be the manager’s topmost priority next month. In addition, the squad also needs a new striker as the Hornets have failed to reach double figures for goals scored.
Gerard Deulofeu has been the brightest spot in what has been a disastrous campaign for Watford so far. The Spaniard is the club’s joint-highest goalscorer with two goals.
The team missed their skipper and talismanic figure Troy Deeney in the earlier stages of the campaign following his knee operation and even though he’s now back in the team, Watford’s need for a new striker is evident.
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In that regard, the Hornets must beat Nottingham Forest to Connor Wickham’s signature next month. Wickham hasn’t set the world alight at Palace but securing his signature could definitely hand a massive boost to Watford’s overall squad depth.
Verdict
Things have not gone in Wickham’s way due to a series of serious injuries, but now that he is fit and raring to go, he needs regular game time to regain his mojo.
A short-term loan to Vicarage Road does make sense and if he manages to stay fit from January to May, he could turn out to be a shrewd addition for the Hornets.
