Despite Watford being one of the Premier League’s smaller clubs, their international scouting network and loan system has impressed over the past few years. Tremendous profit has been made from their South American hub.
Last summer, Watford sold Luis Javier Suarez and Pervis Estupinan for a combined sum of over £20 million. The Pozzo family (owners of Watford, Udinese, and formerly Granada) brought both players into their teams directly from South America. Both found their way to Watford, yet neither South American youngster played a single minute in England. Both earned multiple loans to Spain before being sold permanently.
For a long time, it appeared Cucho Hernandez would follow in their footsteps. However, the Hornets are changing their approach with him, wanting him to play a role in their return to the top-flight.
Cucho Hernandez Set to Stay at Vicarage Road
Training in England With No Departure in Sight
As previously reported on Last Word on Sports, Watford wanted Cucho to stay at Vicarage Road despite interest from other clubs, such as Getafe. Now, Adam Leventhal of The Athletic has said Cucho is training with the first team and will be viewed as an option to compete for a starting spot with the likes of new-signing Joshua King and Troy Deeney.
Recent posts from the Club’s social media pages also suggest Cucho is set to stay at Vicarage Road for the upcoming season. Even though he has technically been under contract at Watford for 4.5 years, his staying in England will have the club feeling as if he is a totally new signing.
Cucho Hernandez Found Success in Spain
The 22-year-old versatile attacker – who primarily lines up centrally – spent his first season in Europe on loan with SD Huesca. They were in the second tier during the first half of his two-year loan spell. Cucho scored 16 times and provided six assists to help the side earn promotion to La Liga.
SD Huesca were unable to avoid relegation in Cucho’s second season with them. Cucho nonetheless was pivotal to the highlights of their season. He scored four goals and provided three assists, showing signs he had what it takes to make a name for himself in a major top-flight. After all, he was still just a teenager.
Watford loaned Cucho to RCD Mallorca for the 2019/20 season. He was absent nearly the entire first half of the season due to injury for the then La Liga side. He scored five times and assisted once in 22 appearances once fit, showing further signs of why he is so highly rated. Unfortunately for Cucho, his side were relegated again.
The past season saw Cucho depart on a high-profile loan back to La Liga. This time, his side stayed afloat. For Getafe, Cucho scored twice and provided three assists, though he missed chunks of the season due to injuries. Despite his injuries, Getafe wanting to extend his loan shows they saw the value in keeping him if Watford permitted a move. However, the Hornets clearly now see the same reasons to have his services. Considering he has already spent three seasons in a major top-flight after tearing up a respectable second tier, Cucho’s ceiling for success is high.
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