Real Football Man All of the Football, All of the time
Southampton manager Mauricio Pellegrino has made his first foray into the transfer market since his appointment last month with the signing of Polish defender Jan Bednarek. The Under 21 international has joined from Lech Poznan on a five year deal and is reported to have cost in the region of £5m.
If you were watching the recent UEFA Under 21 European Championship he would have been a familiar face as the youngster had the misfortune of being sent off in the hosts group stage game against England, a game that England would go on to win 3-0 before being dumped out of the Semi Final stage on penalties by eventual winners Germany.
In addition to the arrival of Bednarek, two of the ever productive conveyor belt of young talent at Southampton have penned new deals. Defender Jack Stephens has himself signed a five year deal while forward Sam Gallagher pens a new four year contract.
Staying in the Premier League but moving over to Watford now and new manager Marco Silva has been busy as of late with the arrival of not one but two new signings. Firstly he has gone to Alaves where there is a very strong Pellegrino connection after the Argentine was in charge their last season.
However it is not Pellegrino calling on his old club for new players but that of the former Hull boss Marco Silva. He has managed to capture right back Kiko Femenia on a four year deal, the Spaniard was a key figure in Alaves’ 9th place La Liga finish as he made 31 appearances for the club last season.
In addition to the arrival of Femenia, Watford have also bolstered their goalkeeping ranks with the signature of Daniel Bachmann from Stoke. The Austrian Under 21 international spent six years at what is now the Bet365 Stadium but failed to ever really make an impact in his lengthy stint there.
With Huerelho Gomes approaching the tail end of his career the hope for the 22 year old will be that he is afforded more first team opportunities at Vicarage Road. Ultimately it is positive news for Watford fans and I would be surprised if this was the last of the arrivals this summer as manager Marco Silva looks to put his stamp on the squad.
