Why Watford made a big mistake by not signing Juanpe Ramirez

According to a report from the Liverpool Echo, Watford were interested in signing Girona centre-back Juanpe Ramirez. But a deal didn’t materialise and the Hornets instead went on to sign Craig Dawson from West Brom.

Craig Dawson hasn’t had an ideal start to life at Watford, with the 29-year-old enduring a forgettable debut in the 3-0 defeat to Brighton. He was one of several under-performers for the hosts, coming in for heavy criticism from pundits and fans alike.

The idea of the former West Brom man being an upgrade on Adrian Mariappa and shoring up the Hornets’ defence is certainly getting erased from the fans’ memories. It is surprising to see Javi Gracia bring in Dawson as the only defensive reinforcement after seeing his side royally struggle defensively.

Watford were good going forward last season but lacked a leader at the back, someone who could take up the responsibility and lead from the front when the chips are down. That’s why Juanpe Ramirez would have been such a good fit at Vicarage Road.

Juanpe Ramirez, 28, has seen his stock consistently rise since a move from Granada to Getafe in 2016, with him performing at a very high and consistent level. He was one of the rare bright sparks in an otherwise woeful last campaign that saw Girona get relegated from the La Liga. Certainly, the Spaniard is more than good enough to play in the Segunda Division.

Watford should have used Girona’s situation as an advantage and signed Juanpe. A defensive rock, Juanpe flourishes as a central defender using his combination strength, power and technique.

The 6ft 3in defender is renowned for his tough-tackling style and his strength in the air. No stranger to pacey and physical football, the Spaniard would have thrived in the Premier League and at Watford.

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Juanpe wouldn’t have cost a bomb following Girona’s relegation. A move to Watford could have helped him take his game to the next level under Gracia and solve his team’s defensive problems.

Verdict

All in all, we can conclude by saying that Watford made a big mistake by not signing Juanpe from Girona. He could have been an ideal defender for Gracia’s system at Vicarage Road.