Watford have announced the signing of Le Havre midfielder Pape Gueye on a pre-contract. This means he will have played his last game for the promotion-chasing side, after the French FA confirmed that the season has been cancelled.
Watford Sign Pape Gueye
Five-Year Deal
The 21-year-old central midfielder pens a five-year deal at Vicarage Road. He’ll officially become a Watford player on July 1 when his contract with the Ligue 2 club expires. The Hornets confirmed on their website that a pre-contract had been “lodged with all relevant authorities.” Gueye, who came through the system at Le Havre, had been linked with the likes of Arsenal and AC Milan earlier this year. He’s represented France at U18 and U19 level.
Pape Gueye’s Season so Far
The midfielder has played 25 times for the French side this season, chipping in with two assists. Le Havre were sixth in the table, and their defence had only conceded 25 goals in 28 games.
The youngster is a talented defensive-minded midfielder, but he has plenty of technical qualities as well. He’s played as a holding midfielder and left-sided central midfielder in a three, and he’s also featured in a midfield two this campaign. Defensively, Gueye has won 55.11% of his ground duels and an impressive 55.32% of his aerial duels – according to WyScout. He averages 5.14 interceptions per 90 minutes, which is up there with the most in the French second tier.
Gueye combines that defensive solidity with an excellent ability to carry the ball through midfield. At 6ft 2ins, he has a solid frame which is difficult to knock off the ball. The Frenchman completes 1.81 dribbles per 90 minutes, with a success rate of 63.04%.
The Paris-born player looks to progress the ball forwards when possible, whether that’s through dribbling or passing. He plays 16.72 forward passes per game, and only three midfielders in Ligue 2 average more passes into the final third than him.
Of course, Gueye has a lot of work to do to replicate this at a higher level. But at the young age of 21, he’s got plenty of time to develop his game with the Hornets.
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