Being linked with a loan to Swansea after they missed out on Clarke-Salter from Chelsea. Their new manager had Wilmot in his age-group for England youth so knows him.
Would be a good move for him. Not sure he’d get too much game time here right now so dropping down to Swansea where he’d most likely play most weeks would suit everyone nicely.
In what position? Also, regardless he's still too young for it to happen this season. I've already posted in another thread that I thought a Championship loan would be the best move for him if possible at this stage, so yeah this makes sense. Hope it happens.
If he actually gets significant game time it would be a really great move for him at his age. The risk would be he just sits on the bench.
I think he'll establish himself in the heart of our defence, despite Gracia preferring him in midfield currently.
According to The Guardian, a season long loan to Swansea to be announced tomorrow. http://www.insidefutbol.com/2019/07/24/swansea-all-done-with-capture-of-watford-defender/430709/
As I said when he went to Udinese, it’s better that he leave and play than stay here and not, but he really does need to play to make it worth it. If the coach at Swansea knows him then that bodes well. Get a good season under his belt at Championship level and we can sell him on to one of the Manchester clubs without ever utilising his talent ourselves. The dream.
Seems like a really good move to me. The championship is a tough standard of football and Swansea are a decent team with a strong shout for promotion, so if he can force his way into a regular spot there then there's every hope for him. At the very least his worth will skyrocket above what we paid for him.
They wanted Clarke-Salter from Chelsea who was a CB so hopefully this means the intention is for him to play in that position for them. Given he was interviewed just last week in Austria and said his first hope was to stay but wouldn’t hesitate going out on loan if it meant regular football, this has happened pretty quick. I really hope that we have some players lined up to come in though.
Watford Football Club @WatfordFC . @BenWilmot24 will spend the 2019/20 season at Championship side @SwansOfficial @SwansOfficial DONE DEAL! The #Swans have completed the signing of @WatfordFC defender Ben Wilmot on a season-long loan. Full story (link: http://bit.ly/2Ojy10F) bit.ly/2Ojy10F #WelcomeWilmot
Surely we will need another CB if we are losing W, Britos, and probably Prodl and only gaining Dawson at present ?
I agree. We had too many defenders as it was - it was quality we lacked. But to lose Hoban, Wilmot, Britos, Navarro and likely Zeegelaar, Foulquier and Prodl as well is too many with only one added. The Wilmot deal is a good move for all concerned IF we add more defenders. If we don’t, then I really don’t get it.
You can also add Hoban and Kaboul to the list of players who were with us at the start of last season but have now gone. We were a little overstocked with central defenders back then, but now (if Prodl goes), we'll only have 4 central defenders. Unless we promote from the academy (unlikely) we probably do need another incoming CB.
It shows we really needed to upgrade the defence. Getting rid of the deadwood is just one step, but Prodl hasn't gone yet, so could still be part of things next season. Foulquier, Navarro and Zeegelaar are just names, as we've never really used them, so I don't consider them a loss really. We have two viable options at full back and 4 CB's. But I'd say we do need one more CB, if Prodl goes.
If he can get 20+ games under his belt and develop his game it will be a great move for him and Watford. Come back with a strong case and push for first 11. His career is nicely on track.
Seems like he has his head screwed on so I’m sure it’ll be fine, but you have to wonder if he’ll become disillusioned being sent out on loan again? If you choose Watford over the top teams (Arsenal and Tottenham were linked too weren’t they?) you must be doing so with the expectation that you’re more likely to get opportunities?
Probably not as an 18-year-old with only 10 games for Stevenage under his belt. It's just that pathway is much clearer, I'm confident he knows he'll get his chance when the time is right.
The career path through Arsenal and Spuds is u23 football. The career path through Watford is competitive men’s football through qualified loans which match a development path.
I had hoped he would break through with us this year, he is a top talent. Swansea does look a good move though.
And his own confidence can only be improved by the club not messing him around and providing the right level of opportunities elsewhere without onerous strings attached. So far so good.
Read my post on him here (in which I also kinda pre-empted this loan move): http://wfcforums.com/index.php?threads/transfers-section.52079/page-6#post-2755996 19 is still nothing for a CB.
