Team Focus: Watford's New Midfield Base Already Key to Their Premier League Survival

When a team is promoted from the Championship to the Premier League, there are two paths a side can follow in order to maintain their status as a top-flight team. The first is to persist largely with the squad that gained the team in question their spot in England’s top tier. Teammates are familiar with one another and needn’t adjust their game too much, with only one or two additions aiding the club in their quest to retain their place among England’s best. 

The other is to throw money at the task at hand, investing heavily on talent that will consolidate a Premier League spot. Both options have their positives and negatives, with this season’s promoted trio adopting differing approaches. Bournemouth and Norwich have looked to keep the nucleus of the team that secured promotion together, while adding players to boost their chances of staving off relegation. Watford, on the other hand, have gone for the latter option. Alessandro Diamanti’s signing on loan on Monday was their 12th summer arrival. The sheer size of investment, though, may have an adverse affect, given the number of fresh faces in the dressing room. 

New signings must hit the ground running, while the current crop may become disenchanted at the lack of faith placed in them. Nevertheless, the players must pull together for the good of the team in their bid to secure their place in the Premier League. Fan favourites Miguel Layún and Odion Ighalo may have netted the Hornets’ first league goals of the season upon their return to England’s top tier, but their top rated player of the campaign so far is new signing Etienne Capoue, with a WhoScored rating of 7.88. 

The Frenchman signed from Tottenham over the summer for a club-record transfer fee of £6.3m. After two disappointing years at White Hart Lane, Capoue appears to be rediscovering the form he showed during his final season with Toulouse as he aims to reestablish himself among Europe’s finest. His performances thus far suggests he is on the right path to doing just that. While primarily used as holding midfielder during his time with Spurs, Capoue has been given a greater license to press forward by Quique Flores. 

Rather than break up play, the Hornets head coach has instead tasked the Frenchman with supporting the attack, utilising his strength to aid his teammates in the final third. Only Ikechi Anya (34) has played more successful passes in the final third than Capoue (31) of all Watford players this season. Not only that, but he is a capable performer at successfully retaining possession for the Hornets, having attempted more passes per game (54) than any other player at the club.

Meanwhile, of all players to register at least 50 minutes of league action for the team this term, Capoue boasts the best pass success rate (88%), accentuating his WhoScored strength of ‘passing’. For any team hoping to establish themselves in England's top tier, ball retention is crucial, which Capoue clearly does to a high standard.

What has been important, though, is the partnership he has swiftly developed with fellow summer arrival Valon Behrami. The tenacious Swiss star signed from Hamburg after a notable campaign for the Bundesliga side from a personal viewpoint, during which he averaged more tackles per game (4.2) than any other player. He has maintained his commendable form in the Premier League, forming a solid alliance with Capoue and regularly breaking up play at the heart of the midfield. 

No player has made more tackles and interceptions combined in the Premier League this season than Behrami (19). The solidity the 30-year-old provides in the middle of the park allows for the more creative players to express themselves higher up the pitch, with Capoue one of those. Furthermore, this provides greater protection to the defence, a much needed facet for any team. Given their status as a newly promoted side, Behrami’s all-action displays in the midfield are all the more important for Watford. 

An established Premier League side will feel confident of overcoming a team upon their return to England’s top tier, but with a solid midfield base of Capoue and Behrami quickly forming, Watford’s chances of survival have improved significantly. Both are well versed in the demands of English football due to their respective stints with Spurs and West Ham, so are fully aware of the trials and tribulations of the Premier League and their experience in the division is crucial to the Hornets’ quest to stave off relegation at the first time of asking. 

Despite having never played together in the past, Capoue and Behrami have already struck up an impressive understanding with one another. The hope now is that they can maintain their respective good starts to the season so Watford have a much better chance of retaining their place in the top-flight of English football.

How important are Capoue and Behrami to Watford's survival hopes? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below