The Watford U23 squad have been in fine form as of late. In the January transfer window, the Hornets signed a handful of youngsters, including Maurizio Pochettino, Mitchel Bergkamp, Tiago Cukur, and Henry Ochieng. Many Hornets fans focused on the controversial and relatively underwhelming first-team transfer news last month. But, when it comes to the youth ranks, the Hornets sure did have a progressive transfer window.
Watford U23 Team Bolstered By New Additions
Watford U23 Recent Victories
The club have won their two most recent matches in the Professional Development League. On February 5, the Hornets youngsters earned a 3-2 victory over Ipswich Town. On Monday, the U23s claimed a 4-2 victory over Millwall.
In the recent goal-fest against Millwall, first-team head coach Xisco Munoz was in attendance. His main focus was on first-team player Isaac Success, who has been recovering from a long-term injury. The 25-year-old is acquiring minutes with the youth set-up to regain fitness. But for Munoz, after spectating the impressive victory, he will have other players’ names in the back of his mind as well.
January Arrivals Making An Impact
Pochettino, the son of Paris Saint-Germain manager Mauricio, scored in both matches. Against Ipswich Town, he scored a curling effort from outside of the box. His finish against Millwall was a bit more straight-forward, but he still showed tremendous awareness to be in the right place at the right time.
Ochieng, who made his professional debut in 2016 with Leyton Orient and was a consistent starter for Cork City last season, has been putting in solid performances. Only on a short-term contract, the talented Kenyan knows he has everything to play for.
Cukur found the score-sheet in his U23 competitive debut on Monday from the penalty spot. He also found the back of the net in a recent friendly against a West Bromwich Albion youth-team.
New Signings Signal New Focus
Ochieng, Cukur, and Pochettino all came in as highly-rated youngsters – and have already shown they can improve the U23 side. Their immediate impact suggests first-team minutes might not be tremendously far off.
Watford, who do not have one of the nation’s larger youth academies, know establishing this path is profitable and beneficial if done successfully. January was a leap in the right direction.
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