Watford’s interest in creating a new-look midfield is evident. Despite already having the likes of Will Hughes, Nathaniel Chalobah and Tom Cleverley, the Hornets know Premier League safety depends on having depth, even if that means relegating talented players already at the club to the bench. The Hornets acted swiftly to secure the impressive signature of Imran Louza for around £9 million. They also are maintaining heavy interest in Aberdeen’s Lewis Ferguson, having already had a couple of bids rejected for him. However, the hierarchy might need to reconsider their midfield transfer policy as Domingos Quina is returning from his loan to Granada and is in Xisco Munoz’s plans.
Domingos Quina Set to Stay at Vicarage Road Next Season
Successful La Liga Loan Following Questionable Start to Championship Season
Quina initially joined Watford as an 18-year-old in the summer of 2018 from West Ham United. The attack-minded midfielder scored a wonder-goal on his Hornets senior debut against Reading in the EFL Cup. He scored another fantastic goal from distance against Cardiff City in one of his eight Premier League appearances in his inaugural Watford campaign.
Despite impressing during his cameos in the 2018/19 campaign, he only made four league appearances in the Hornets’ 2019/20 relegation campaign. But, following relegation, Quina was set to play a big role in the club’s push for promotion.
The appointment of Vladimir Ivic hurt Quina’s chances of having optimal influence. Frequently fielding formations that did not call for a number 10, Quina was forced into less-natural wide positions. He scored once in 14 appearances. A hamstring injury kept Quina sidelined during Munoz’s first month in charge. When the Portuguese youth player returned to full fitness, Munoz already had his desired squad made. La Liga side Granada, who were playing in the Europa League, brought Quina in for the rest of the season for depth purposes.
Quina played eight times for Granada, getting more much-needed top-flight experience and training. He scored two phenomenal goals with the Spanish club, impressing when on the pitch. His success came as a result of him being deployed centrally, where he is best suited to playing.
Domingos Quina is in Xisco Munoz’s Plans
In an interview with the Watford Observer’s Ryan Gray, Quina explained his conversations with the Watford staff and how he is at Vicarage Road to compete for a starting role.
“I spoke to Xisco before; we spoke on the phone. I spoke to the director too, which was good,” Quina described. “My understanding, from when I spoke to the manager, is I’m back to play. That’s the way I see it. Of course, it’s down to me as well to produce goals and performances, but the plan is for me to play.”
“I got back from holiday and I spoke to the director and we spoke about positions and all of that stuff, and I told him where I see myself playing…We spoke about that and I think he understands me.”
Quina also inserted: “I’m not content to just wait or to just be a substitute.”
If he makes his sporadic moments of excellence into more frequent occurrences, there is no reason for Quina to not get the minutes he desires. Still just 21 years old, he will only continue to rapidly improve.
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