Watford will not have expected to be in such a comfortable position come the January window, but they will be aware of the warning signs in the last few weeks that would suggest they need to add to their squad to avoid fatigue in the second half of the campaign.
The Hornets’ two central strikers have formed one of the best partnerships in the league this season and it would be sensible to keep them both fresh with the rotation option of Simone Zaza.
Zaza has struggled for game time for much of this season and would be a welcome set of fresh legs to a squad that has taken a dip in form of late.
The aim for Watford’s second half of the season will probably be to push on for a potential European spot and, against all the odds, signing Zaza could help them to make that remarkable step in the first few months of 2016.
Here are FIVE reasons Zaza would be an ideal signing for the Hornets…
Star man running out of gas…
Star striker, Odion Ighalo, has looked like he is beginning to fatigue in recent weeks and Watford will benefit hugely from keeping their star man fresh.
As one of the top scorers in the league, it is hard to justify giving Ighalo a rest, but the manager will find it easier to rotate if he has a class act like Zaza as backup.
Treading Water
Avoiding relegation is the aim of every promoted club, but Watford will not want to be one of those clubs who is promoted and just treads water for a few seasons.
As shown with their summer signings, the London club have ambition and a signing of Zaza’s calibre would fit with that.
100% Strike Rate
In his rare performances this season, Zaza is averaging a goal per start.
Obviously, the Italian isn’t going to be displacing Ighalo in a hurry, but a new striker who is a regular goal scorer and trusted finisher cannot be a bad thing for the club.
Hornets can dream..
If Flores breaks all expectations and does pull Watford into Europe next season, the depth of a player with experience at one of Europe’s biggest clubs would be absolutely crucial.
Deeney might be a club hero, but he isn’t exactly practised in playing at the top level in Europe.
Injuries looming
In Wenger style, Watford are at risk of over working Deeney and Ighalo and ending up with injuries to their pivotal front two as the business end of the season approaches.
Deeney’s role behind Ighalo is as crucial as Ighalo’s lethal finishing has been, but Flores needs to be sure to reduce the work load on his front two.
