Gianfranco Zola: 'Pozzo family's decision not to sell Matej Vydra shows Watford's ambition this season'
8:00am Friday 1st February 2013 in Latest Sport
By Frank Smith, Deputy Group Sports Editor
Pictures: Action Images
A delighted Gianfranco Zola believes the Pozzo family’s decision not to sell Matej Vydra shows Watford have serious ambitions this season.
Vydra’s form since his arrival in the summer has attracted the attention of five Premier League sides and the striker’s parent club Udinese rejected a bid from one of those teams, according to his agent.
The Czech Republic international’s representative Ondrej Chovanec denied rumours Roma had expressed an interest in his client earlier this week but didn’t rule out a switch to the Italian club.
Chovanec had last week said it was "very likely" Vydra would be signing permanently for Watford before the deadline closed and Zola remained confident the move would happen throughout despite the speculation.
Speaking to the Watford Observer yesterday (Thursday) evening, Zola said: "I’m delighted [Vydra is still here]. It proves that the club are serious about the ambitions we have this year. We are underlining what we have promised and that is a very good sign."
At the weekend, Zola joked he had broken his phone in a bid to make sure Vydra remained at Watford.
"I have broken my phone so they can try phoning me but they won’t find me that is for sure," Zola joked.
"I have no doubt in my mind [he will stay]. I have had no indication that he is leaving and I think the club want to keep him and the player I believe wants to stay so we should be alright."
He continued: "As far as I understand it, the player wants to stay here as well because we can help him keep improving.
"I don’t think Matej believes he has already got to the top and he knows there are still margins to improve and that is what we are going to be working with him on.
"I think he can give Watford the edge because there will be many teams looking for him."
"Here he can have the attention he needs and maybe next year he will be playing for us in the Premier League," Zola added.
Vydra, who Zola described as "a good boy who works very hard", has scored ten goals in his last five starts.
The 20-year-old is on a season-long loan from Udinese and Watford are confident of securing his services permanently – although the Championship club were not in a rush to tie him down before the end of January due to the relationship with Udinese.
The striker has scored 18 goals in 25 league appearances this season, nine of which were from the substitutes bench.
On the interest from Roma, Vydra’s agent told Gazzetta Giallorossa: "No, honestly I never talked to any of the leaders at Roma. For the moment there are no offers from the Giallorossi.
"Everything is possible. For the moment there is only one offer from a Premier League club but it was rejected by Udinese.
"The player of course liked the interest of Roma. We like their style of work, their play, we like (Zdenek) Zeman. If the offer is right, never say never."
It was a largely uneventful transfer deadline day for the Hornets yesterday (Thursday). Chris Iwelumo joined Oldham Athletic on loan and Piero Mingoia has linked up with Boreham Wood on a temporary deal, but there had been no arrivals when the Watford Observer went to press at 5.30pm.
There had been claims Watford bid £2m for highly-rated Birmingham City winger Nathan Redmond but we understand that was not the case.
Watford were reportedly interested in young Napoli striker Soma Novothny, according to the player’s father, but Zola denied that was the case.
The 18-year-old has been linked with several clubs in Europe and Otto Novthny claimed he could be tempted to link up with former Napoli coach Dodo Sormani, who now works at the Hornets.
However, Zola said: "No, there is no truth in that. I don’t know anything about that.
"The only thing which may happen tonight (Thursday) is if we can find loan clubs for some of the players who are not playing for us as they need to find a team. So that is the only thing I’m expecting to see."
The Hornets had attempted to sign Manchester City midfielder Jeremy Helan towards the end of last week on a permanent deal but the left-sided Frenchman, who can also play at full back, returned to Sheffield Wednesday on a youth loan until the end of the season.
Wednesday boss Dave Jones told BBC Radio Sheffield "we cannot match what they [Watford] are offering" last Friday but the 22-year-old re-signed for the club until the remainder of the campaign on Tuesday.
Iwelumo and Mingoia have both agreed loan deals until the end of the season.
Iwelumo has scored five goals for the Hornets since joining from Burnley in the summer of 2011 but has not played for the first team since October, spending six weeks on loan at Notts County.
Mingoia made seven appearances for Watford during his debut season as a professional but he has not featured for the first team under Zola or Sean Dyche.
The 21-year-old made eight appearances at Hayes and Yeading last season and nine on loan at Accrington Stanley earlier in the current campaign.
One of the positives from yesterday’s transfer deadline day from a Watford perspective was Danny Graham’s move from Swansea City to Sunderland.
The Hornets agreed a 15 per cent sell-on clause when Graham left the club to join Swansea in 2011 – with the Golden Boys receiving 15 per cent on any profit above the £3.5m the Swans paid for the striker.
Graham, who scored 41 goals in 98 games for Watford, yesterday joined Sunderland in a £5m move, which will result in the club landing £225,000.
Comments(40)
endean2
says...
8:13am Fri 1 Feb 13
ang lookin after the players "feelings"
West Country Hornet
says...
8:27am Fri 1 Feb 13
endean2 wrote:Agree. The 'Ornz' are going up.
Fine now pick the right team to play on SATURDAY, no more tinkering, resting
ang lookin after the players "feelings"
BigRussMalta
says...
9:01am Fri 1 Feb 13
andyhooked
says...
9:03am Fri 1 Feb 13
Mohandas
says...
9:04am Fri 1 Feb 13
endean2 wrote:Couldn't have put it better. Stabilty builds confidence. Up your work rate if you want first team football. Wat CA kept the old guard and are now in La La Land.
Fine now pick the right team to play on SATURDAY, no more tinkering, resting
ang lookin after the players "feelings"
DuffmanWFC
says...
9:30am Fri 1 Feb 13
For me this signals true intent on the Pozzo's ambitions for our club and it also means that they are true to their word!
I remember when we lost Adam Johnson then Marlon King back in 2007-2008 season and it completely ruined what seemed a certainty of promotion!
Our club has grown so much in stature and in play so much, thank you Mr Pozzo, the board, Nani & Duxbury and Zola and the lads! Keep it up and promotion is a real possibility!
PhilippineOrn
says...
9:34am Fri 1 Feb 13
BigRussMalta wrote:Win or not at City we would still be back to 3rd place today so no big deal really not winning there.
Honestly though,do we really need to add to an already decent big squad ?the camp at london colney has to be buzzin right now,near enough everyones getting a game ( with the damned rotation system) during what,so far,has been such an exciting season with so much more to come.Zola believes we can go up this season and to be honest,i do think he regrets making the changes he did the other night because with a full strength starting 11 i reckon we'd of been to much for then AND we missed the chance of moving into an automatic promotion spot,them opportunitys have to be taken and he didnt make the best of that chance...anyway myself having a punt at 40/1 ew and a 25/1 ew makes this season even more exciting,i believe we can even win the championship this year,April 6th at home V Cardiff is earmarked as a possible great day in our history,a 6 pointer to overtake topspots on the cards,dont hold your breath but we can dream ;-) COYH!!!
WessexLad
says...
9:42am Fri 1 Feb 13
As others have said, we have a strong enough squad to win promotion - but only if we play the best team available for every match!
WessexLad
says...
9:46am Fri 1 Feb 13
With respect, we won't know whether defeat at Bristol was a big deal or not until the last day of the season.
BigRussMalta
says...
9:55am Fri 1 Feb 13
GrahamTaylor
says...
9:55am Fri 1 Feb 13
My concern is the likes of Pudil, Abdi and Vydra will be off in the summer. The Pozzo’s have a selling philosophy and if we don’t go up I can see these player attracting good bids.
Harry's Bar
says...
9:56am Fri 1 Feb 13
andyhooked wrote:Majic news? He didn't sign for us when everyone, including Zola, thought he would.
MAGIC news on Vydra. Put the strongest and the best out for the remainder f the season or until automatic promotion is secured
Looking on the bright side he's here until the end of the season. Will he stay if we don't go up? Doubtful.
Holly68
says...
9:57am Fri 1 Feb 13
He didnt sign permanently, Watford offered him a good deal to sign permanently, so if we don't get promoted I guess he will sign for PL team in summer.
No more rotation please, as if we don't go up we will have to replace all these players who move to PL and start all over again.
Oracledave
says...
10:06am Fri 1 Feb 13
londomollari wrote:We always have the option of emergency loans - window re-opens next week I think.
That was disappointing. Dashed home from work at 10 last night to find that, in effect, nothing of note had happened. oh well, no news is good news, I suppose. At least, all the loanees should be here to see out the promotion push.
I said in December that I think we need a left footed alternative. The club obviously agree. Pudil is a good player but essentially an attacking full back. We need the option of a midfield/wide type to potentially change games from the bench or if justified, a starter. Maybe the Pozzo scouting network can provide someone !? Also haven't checked out Fulham lately. Is Alex K featuring much ?
Harry's Bar
says...
10:12am Fri 1 Feb 13
mattymashup
says...
10:25am Fri 1 Feb 13
Wimbledonhorn
says...
10:34am Fri 1 Feb 13
Really hope Zola get ruthless now and sticks with a winning team.
Eastsussexhornet
says...
10:34am Fri 1 Feb 13
endean2 wrote:My thoughts entirely. If there is anything good to come out of the match on Tuesday it is Zola learning a lesson. We may even look back on it glad that we DID lose it for that very reason.
Fine now pick the right team to play on SATURDAY, no more tinkering, resting
ang lookin after the players "feelings"
D.unstable
says...
10:35am Fri 1 Feb 13
Harry's Bar
says...
10:35am Fri 1 Feb 13
mattymashup wrote:Only one problem with that theory.... Forestieri signing.
Even if the players don't stay at the end of the season I have faith that the next bunch of pozzo players will be decent enough. It's so nice that we didn't lose our best players as has happened in seasons gone by! At least the squad is still together to carry on pushing for the golden land. Maybe we had a transfer embargo?!
Eastsussexhornet
says...
10:35am Fri 1 Feb 13
andyhooked wrote:Well, he could have actually signed permanently...
MAGIC news on Vydra. Put the strongest and the best out for the remainder f the season or until automatic promotion is secured
Poppet Bear
says...
10:37am Fri 1 Feb 13
Mad Mo
says...
10:39am Fri 1 Feb 13
hornetwise
says...
10:45am Fri 1 Feb 13
SAHornet
says...
10:53am Fri 1 Feb 13
PhilippineOrn wrote:Ridiculous! Of course it was a big deal.
BigRussMalta wrote:Win or not at City we would still be back to 3rd place today so no big deal really not winning there.
Honestly though,do we really need to add to an already decent big squad ?the camp at london colney has to be buzzin right now,near enough everyones getting a game ( with the damned rotation system) during what,so far,has been such an exciting season with so much more to come.Zola believes we can go up this season and to be honest,i do think he regrets making the changes he did the other night because with a full strength starting 11 i reckon we'd of been to much for then AND we missed the chance of moving into an automatic promotion spot,them opportunitys have to be taken and he didnt make the best of that chance...anyway myself having a punt at 40/1 ew and a 25/1 ew makes this season even more exciting,i believe we can even win the championship this year,April 6th at home V Cardiff is earmarked as a possible great day in our history,a 6 pointer to overtake topspots on the cards,dont hold your breath but we can dream ;-) COYH!!!
Oracledave
says...
11:03am Fri 1 Feb 13
Harry's Bar wrote:The signing or not of any loan players is entirely irrelevant. If the Pozzos receive an acceptable offer for a player he will be sold. Matters not one jot whether he is with Udinese, Granada or Watford. Length of current contract in terms of agent/player power is the main issue.
andyhooked wrote:Majic news? He didn't sign for us when everyone, including Zola, thought he would.
MAGIC news on Vydra. Put the strongest and the best out for the remainder f the season or until automatic promotion is secured
Looking on the bright side he's here until the end of the season. Will he stay if we don't go up? Doubtful.
Harry's Bar
says...
11:35am Fri 1 Feb 13
Oracledave wrote:Yes, but nomally the length of the current contract is extended when a player signs a new deal.
Harry's Bar wrote:The signing or not of any loan players is entirely irrelevant. If the Pozzos receive an acceptable offer for a player he will be sold. Matters not one jot whether he is with Udinese, Granada or Watford. Length of current contract in terms of agent/player power is the main issue.andyhooked wrote: MAGIC news on Vydra. Put the strongest and the best out for the remainder f the season or until automatic promotion is securedMajic news? He didn't sign for us when everyone, including Zola, thought he would. Looking on the bright side he's here until the end of the season. Will he stay if we don't go up? Doubtful.
Oracledave
says...
11:43am Fri 1 Feb 13
Harry's Bar wrote:Correct HB and you have probably hit the reason why he did not sign !!!
Oracledave wrote:Yes, but nomally the length of the current contract is extended when a player signs a new deal.
Harry's Bar wrote:The signing or not of any loan players is entirely irrelevant. If the Pozzos receive an acceptable offer for a player he will be sold. Matters not one jot whether he is with Udinese, Granada or Watford. Length of current contract in terms of agent/player power is the main issue.andyhooked wrote: MAGIC news on Vydra. Put the strongest and the best out for the remainder f the season or until automatic promotion is securedMajic news? He didn't sign for us when everyone, including Zola, thought he would. Looking on the bright side he's here until the end of the season. Will he stay if we don't go up? Doubtful.
Harry's Bar
says...
11:56am Fri 1 Feb 13
Oracledave wrote:Probably. The less time left on the contract the more bargaining power the player's agent has. June '14 someone said..... the clock's ticking.
Harry's Bar wrote:Correct HB and you have probably hit the reason why he did not sign !!!Oracledave wrote:Yes, but nomally the length of the current contract is extended when a player signs a new deal.Harry's Bar wrote:The signing or not of any loan players is entirely irrelevant. If the Pozzos receive an acceptable offer for a player he will be sold. Matters not one jot whether he is with Udinese, Granada or Watford. Length of current contract in terms of agent/player power is the main issue.andyhooked wrote: MAGIC news on Vydra. Put the strongest and the best out for the remainder f the season or until automatic promotion is securedMajic news? He didn't sign for us when everyone, including Zola, thought he would. Looking on the bright side he's here until the end of the season. Will he stay if we don't go up? Doubtful.
jasonwatford
says...
12:54pm Fri 1 Feb 13
As said before when players left udinese to Granada they stayed when they went up..some are still on loan after 2-3 years , Any decent player will attract bids thats true but for all of them going ??? Plus we will be getting the cream of the crop coming to us for the pozzo to showcase in the prem or championship as thats where the money is.
Oracledave
says...
12:59pm Fri 1 Feb 13
jasonwatford wrote:You forgot 'Duke' Ellington just released by Ipswich. Snap him up on four year deal GZ !
Yer agree with all you numptys on here...if we go up or stay down all the players will go away...and we will try to sign big chris and joe garner...will beg ross jenkins to come back and run our midfield....make dale bennett and offer he cant refuse......call scott loach and say cmon scott we liked you really !!
As said before when players left udinese to Granada they stayed when they went up..some are still on loan after 2-3 years , Any decent player will attract bids thats true but for all of them going ??? Plus we will be getting the cream of the crop coming to us for the pozzo to showcase in the prem or championship as thats where the money is.
Oracledave
says...
1:01pm Fri 1 Feb 13
jasonwatford wrote:You forgot 'Duke' Ellington just released by Ipswich. Snap him up on four year deal GZ !
Yer agree with all you numptys on here...if we go up or stay down all the players will go away...and we will try to sign big chris and joe garner...will beg ross jenkins to come back and run our midfield....make dale bennett and offer he cant refuse......call scott loach and say cmon scott we liked you really !!
As said before when players left udinese to Granada they stayed when they went up..some are still on loan after 2-3 years , Any decent player will attract bids thats true but for all of them going ??? Plus we will be getting the cream of the crop coming to us for the pozzo to showcase in the prem or championship as thats where the money is.
ChunkeyMonkey
says...
1:06pm Fri 1 Feb 13
lutondown
says...
1:31pm Fri 1 Feb 13
ChunkeyMonkey wrote:As I've said before Forrests deal is no stranger than Murrays. Same length, only difference is one player looks interested the other looks like he can do as he pleases for five years.
Why transfer the players if you don't have to? I'm no expert but a loan might not trigger an agent payment whereas a transfer possibly would, and if you own two or three clubs then a transfer requires you to pay yourself which is fairly pointmess. Question also whether transfer add on's such as VAT and any cross border financial requirementsis (exchange rate) may apply and also have to be dealt with, which provides even more compelling reasons not to transfer players between related clubs. On the other hand it does make the FF transfer rather curious unless he was coming to the end of his contract. Who knows - we are where we are, which is a much better place than where we have been for a long, long time. COYH!
Guy Bov
says...
1:43pm Fri 1 Feb 13
Exciting times.
WessexLad
says...
2:56pm Fri 1 Feb 13
Guy Bov wrote:I agree that permanently doesn't mean permanently, but it does mean that we get the money and not Udinese, ie Pozzo's left pocket rather than his right.
A little surprised only Fessi signed permanantly in the transfer window but what does permanantly in football mean these days anyway?. Money talks, everybody has their price and all of us just need to appreciate the talent on the Pozzo conveyor belt as it comes through the vic.
Exciting times.
lutondown
says...
3:01pm Fri 1 Feb 13
WessexLad wrote:So it doesn't really matter then? Exactly
Guy Bov wrote:I agree that permanently doesn't mean permanently, but it does mean that we get the money and not Udinese, ie Pozzo's left pocket rather than his right.
A little surprised only Fessi signed permanantly in the transfer window but what does permanantly in football mean these days anyway?. Money talks, everybody has their price and all of us just need to appreciate the talent on the Pozzo conveyor belt as it comes through the vic.
Exciting times.
Harrydownunder
says...
3:06pm Fri 1 Feb 13
Oracledave wrote:Is he still playing?
jasonwatford wrote:You forgot 'Duke' Ellington just released by Ipswich. Snap him up on four year deal GZ !
Yer agree with all you numptys on here...if we go up or stay down all the players will go away...and we will try to sign big chris and joe garner...will beg ross jenkins to come back and run our midfield....make dale bennett and offer he cant refuse......call scott loach and say cmon scott we liked you really !!
As said before when players left udinese to Granada they stayed when they went up..some are still on loan after 2-3 years , Any decent player will attract bids thats true but for all of them going ??? Plus we will be getting the cream of the crop coming to us for the pozzo to showcase in the prem or championship as thats where the money is.
Harry's Bar
says...
3:25pm Fri 1 Feb 13
Harrydownunder wrote:In the very loosest sense. He is looking for another club. The Dog & Duck in Felixstowe are looking for a striker I hear.
Oracledave wrote:Is he still playing?jasonwatford wrote: Yer agree with all you numptys on here...if we go up or stay down all the players will go away...and we will try to sign big chris and joe garner...will beg ross jenkins to come back and run our midfield....make dale bennett and offer he cant refuse......call scott loach and say cmon scott we liked you really !! As said before when players left udinese to Granada they stayed when they went up..some are still on loan after 2-3 years , Any decent player will attract bids thats true but for all of them going ??? Plus we will be getting the cream of the crop coming to us for the pozzo to showcase in the prem or championship as thats where the money is.You forgot 'Duke' Ellington just released by Ipswich. Snap him up on four year deal GZ !
londomollari says...
8:09am Fri 1 Feb 13