5 players Paulo Pezzolano should sign for Watford FC to kick-start promotion push | OneFootball

After Paulo Pezzolano replaced Tom Cleverley as Watford manager, FLW have highlighted five potential signings for the Hornets this summer

Watford recently announced Paulo Pezzolano as their new head coach, as they look to fight higher up the Championship next term.

The Hornets dismissed former boss Tom Cleverley after finishing 14th in the second-tier last season, picking up one point in their final five games as they ended the campaign on a whimper.

Now, ambitious owner Gino Pozzo has appointed the club’s 10th permanent head coach since Nigel Pearson was sacked in the summer of 2020.

Cleverley had been the first Hornets’ boss to remain in charge for an entire season since Javi Gracia in 2018-19, but now Pezzolano has been appointed with the task of turning Watford back into a promotion challenger next season.

The Hornets are already getting their business underway this summer, with it recently announced that the club are set to land the services of Peterborough United captain Hector Kyprianou.

Ahead of the transfer window, FLW has highlighted five players Pezzolano and Co. should take a look at to boost their chances of a Premier League return.

Nathan Baxter - Bolton Wanderers

The first signing we have suggested is one that has real potential to come off, after FLW exclusively revealed that Watford were lining up a move for Bolton Wanderers goalkeeper Nathan Baxter.

The 26-year-old is set to be released from the club this summer, despite Steven Schumacher reinstating him back into the Bolton starting 11 towards the end of the season.

Long-serving Austrian Daniel Bachmann has been touted to leave Vicarage Road this summer, as per Alan Nixon, which would make room for Baxter to slot in to the Hornets’ squad.

Norwegian shot-stopper Egil Selvik was acquired in January from Udinese and is likely to be the club’s No.1 next season, which means Baxter would be joining in a back-up role.

This would be a smart move from Watford, bringing in solid squad depth for low expense. As a result, this could become a tidy transfer to help cover an important area, ultimately allowing for higher expenditure elsewhere.

Amadou Mbengue - Reading FC

The Hornets shipped 61 goals last season and will be aiming to tighten up at the back under their new manager, so targeting some quality in defensive areas is a no-brainer.

Amadou Mbengue has been one of Reading's most consistent performers since the club's fall into League One back in 2023, and is already reported to have previously attracted the attention of the Hornets.

The 23-year-old already possesses a wealth of EFL experience, making over 100 appearances for the Royals, and would fit nicely into the Watford backline next season.

Further aiding the Hornets’ cause is Mbengue’s contract situation, with his deal at the Select Car Leasing stadium set to expire this summer.

Therefore, this is another deal which would make sense both on, and off the pitch for Watford.

Alan Browne - Sunderland

Alan Browne joined Sunderland last summer after spending a decade with Preston North End, but has struggled for game-time at the Stadium of Light, partly due to suffering a fractured leg earlier this season.

As a result, the 30-year-old could be on the move again in the upcoming window, especially if the Black Cats achieve promotion to the Premier League.

Browne would add tireless performances and some much-needed balance to the Watford midfield.

The Irishman has bags of experience in the Championship, and when at his best, can be a standout contributor in any second-tier team.

If available for a good price, Browne would be a perfect opportunity that the Hornets should explore this summer.

Ryan Hardie - Plymouth Argyle

Goals win games, and our next two suggestions have that fact at the forefront of their game.

Ryan Hardie has been Plymouth Argyle’s standout performer over the past few years, producing an impressive output that saw him fire the Pilgrims up to the Championship in 2023, and keep them there for two seasons.

However, following Argyle’s relegation to League One, it is likely that Hardie will want to carry on playing at a Championship level, after showing that he is more than capable of doing so over the past couple of years.

His goals and versatility in forward areas would suit Watford brilliantly, and give them a reliable, consistent and Championship-proven talisman to help lead a promotion charge.

Emil Riis - Preston North End

Another experienced Championship bagsman, Emil Riis is set to leave Preston North End after five years at Deepdale, when his contract with the Lilywhites expires this summer.

The Dane netted 12 times in the league this season, in a PNE side that almost suffered relegation to League One, lacking creativity sorely throughout the season.

This makes Riis’ tally all the more impressive, and coupled with a 20-goal season three years prior, the 26-year-old brings a guarantee of sizeable output.

The striker is yet to make a decision on his future, but if given an enticing proposal, could become a key player for the Hornets next year.

Another option that wouldn’t see Watford pay a transfer fee, a forward line featuring Riis and Hardie would strike fear into Championship defences across the land, and could lay the foundations for Pezzolano’s side to take a real shot at promotion next season.