Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson tips Watford to get relegated.
Popular Sky Sports pundit, Paul Merson, has tipped Watford to get relegated at the end of the 2017/18 Premier League campaign.
Merson admits that it “won’t be a popular choice” but he believes that Watford haven’t done enough in the transfer market.
Watford have been busy in the summer transfer window, with Marco Silva bringing in as many as seven new faces.
He has bolstered the midfield area by adding players like Tom Cleverley, Will Hughes, and Nathaniel Calobah.
The full-back areas have been bolstered by the addition of Spanish right-back Kiko Feminia.
However, the two signings that have grabbed headlines are Andre Gray, who joined from Burnley, and Brazilian left winger Richarlison.
But Merson believes that Watford have “put all their eggs in one basket” with the signing of Gray, and is not hopeful about the move.
He doubts Gray’s qualities, saying the 26-year-old didn’t score a lot of goals for Burnley who play with a two-striker system.
Merson believes that Gray might find goals even harder to come by with Watford relying on a lone striker system. Also, Merson says that Watford will be making a huge mistake if they sell Troy Deeney.
“Watford are my surprise tip to go down this season. I know that won’t be a popular choice and that some people are saying they have bought well this summer, but I disagree,” wrote Merson for the Daily Star.
“They’ve put all their eggs in one basket with Andre Gray and I don’t see it working. Burnley played two up front last season and he didn’t score bundles of goals.
“I don’t think Watford will play with two up front, and he might find goals even harder to come by as a result.
“Him going there could also be the end of Troy Deeney, and that would be a big miss. He’s easily their best player and gives them that leadership on and off the pitch.I think selling him could be a bad move, but two into one don’t go and if they play with one striker his number is up.
“Look at who else they bought as well. Will Nathaniel Chalobah keep you up? He’s never really played much for Chelsea so it’ll be interesting to see how he does week in, week out.
“Will Hughes and Tom Cleverley are not exactly going to pull up trees, and they spent big on Richarlison, but who knows how good he’ll be.”
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