https://mobile.twitter.com/VoicesOfTheVic/status/1533824558033252352 A fair few Spanish clubs sniffing around, divides opinion does Kiko, but regardless of his legacy at Watford, I think it's time for him to go, don't think he's getting through another Championship season at his age, and quite frankly, it could be a handy bit of money for a player who, for all his quality at Championship level, is replaceable given the realistic options available to us
Kiko out for £1-2mil, then sign Ebosele on loan or Wilson on a free. Kiko has been great for the club, more positives than negatives. Let us down a few times, but was solid for us more often than not.
Always thought he gave his all, was pretty great going forwards on his day but also had the ability to have a howler defensively. Think we can get better in, would go with my blessing and thanks.
Not really one you want in the trenches with you but best first touch since Marlon King and overall has been a good player for us and given we signed him on a free, one of the real successes of the Pozzo transfer policy in recent years. Feels like the right time for both parties to move on, wish him all the best if he goes.
Personally I would have liked to keep Kiko, mostly for sentimental reasons as I like him but partially because I thought the system would suit his playing style. Although, I wouldn't be too dissapointed if we brought in Ebosele and someone like Kane Wilson.
Very strange that for such an awful awful horrendous horrible championship-level player, he's consistently linked with La Liga clubs. Guess they must see something Watford fans don't.
His injury record must put teams off but then doesn't seem to be out for long - just one or two games/goes off in almost every game.
Bit of a myth. He's played 90 minutes in 18 of the 26 games he's started this season (plus 2 games where he came off after 87 and 89 mins). Played more than 70 minutes in 34 of his 36 starts in a long Championship season. Full 90 minutes in 24 games. Played 90 mins in 20 of 26 starts in 2019/20. Played 90 mins in 19 out of 22 starts in 2018/19. Think it's fair to say his body is catching up with him which isn't surprising considering his play style. At some point in the next 2 seasons I reckon his legs will go, which will render him a very limited player, so it's not a bad idea to cash in now, as long as we replace him adequately. Shame though as he was the best RB in the Championship last time and he'd likely be one of the best again next year. Excellent servant overall for the club during one of the most successful periods in the club's history. Wish him all the best.
I think the telling figures here are that last year & in the 19/20 and 18/19 he only managed to play 26 and 22 games, so 2/3rd of a season. Even in the championship he has only played 80% of the season. The fact that his not actually that good a defender doesn't help. His done a job as being the best of the worse rather than being good enough.
There’s a handful of last season’s squad that I would be disappointed to see leave. Kiko isn’t one of them. Did a decent shift for 5 years but it’s high time to drain this swamp.
I agree people like to overstate the regularity that’s he’s ‘cried off’ over his time as a whole. But it’s has been a bit more regular in the last year. It’s a worrying trait that it seemed to always come when the ‘going got tough’ in certain games. Hodgson was a horrible manager - but even he alluded to it on one occasion.
I had two very good friends that suffered horrendously with anxiety on leaving the forces. It was a crying shame to see this and wished I knew more so as to help. But when they couldn't even explain as to why or when it would creep in it's difficult.
Great going forward but too lightweight when defending. Hence great bombing forward in the champ and a liability when defensive tightness was needed in the prem. Would prefer to keep him for this season if we could given I doubt we would get any sort of fee for him.
Best “free transfer” in the Pozzo era?! https://mobile.twitter.com/BaitVic/status/1533922471082184705
I saw someone on Twatter say Femenia is in their top 5 Watford players of all time. I'm assuming they're about 18 years old.
I like Kiko and definitely think he would add quality for us next season. Covers a lot of ground, great control and good pace but he's no Lloyd Doyley when it comes to defending. Would be very happy if he stays but if he gets a last contract (not too old at 31) in the top league in his home country and wants to go I would wish him well.
More like 8! Ok slightly exaggeration but you can think of 5 better players easily even if you only started going in 2015 or something .
Relegated twice, soft as a wet shyte, subbed himself off every time it got difficult. Give him the armband!
He was very good during our Championship season but struggled far too much in the Premier. Needs replacing.
Only needs replacing when and if we get to the prem. Would be effective this coming season and would allow us to spend what is presumably a meagre budget elsewhere. As noted in prior posts I don’t subscribe to the view that we can assemble a prem ready squad in the champ, though maybe moving out Ngakia and bringing that guy from FGR for competition/ cover makes sense.
Apart from the season when he walked off down the tunnel leaving us with 10 men on the pitch I like Kiko think he was good in the championship last time and is one of the few players we have who seems good at driving us forward. would rather he stayed don’t think we would get much better for what we could sell him for
Why is there always an assumption that players who were once decent at a specific level will always continue to be so, like it's some sort of ever lasting certainty? Femenia clearly struggles massively with confidence and motivation and is now two years older than the last time we were down in this league (he'll be 32 midway through the season). Very much exiting his prime, rarely up for the fight - bet he's well up for a second Championship slog in three seasons - and injury prone. Absolutely not a given if he stays that he'd even reach the level of performance from when we were last is the Championship. Move on.
This doesn’t reflect the point that he’s 1-2 years older and consistently picks up injuries though sadly. We can’t keep churning players out because they were good last time around - so was Masina, so was Cleverley. Femenia has been great for us (on the whole) - but it’s time to move on if we can pick up one of the younger, exciting names floating about.
Scary to think of all the experienced players who were on the wane by the time we were relegated the first time round who not only stayed, but will probably be here for next season
Yeah, those players have gone from "experienced" to "past-it". They aren't on new contracts either, so they won't be hit with the heavy relegation wage reductions. Really shouldn't offer contracts that go beyond 30. Then 1-year additions if they prove they can still perform.
From defenders, only TAA, James, Robertson and Cancelo got more assists than him this season. Only 9 defenders played more key passes per 90, all playing for top 6 clubs, plus Cresswell/Cucurella. Considering how crap we were this year, he's posted up decent stats, offensively at least. With the extra freedom he'd have to get forward in the Championship, and with Edwards' formation, think it's a fair assumption he'd be a valuable asset again. But that does depend, as I mentioned above, on him maintaining a decent level of fitness for another 12 months. I think he'd be good for 30+ games, personally.
