Burnley
Blackburn Rovers
Coventry City
Derby County
Leeds United
Luton Town
Middlesbrough
Millwall
Norwich City
Portsmouth
Sheffield Wednesday
Sheffield United
QPR
Watford are quietly going about their business this summer in a very positive way.
The Hornets were slammed for sacking Tom Cleverley in May, and while Paulo Pezzolano did not have the greatest of welcomes, work is being done to improve the squad ahead of the new campaign.
Mileta Rajovic has left the club for a Polish league record, but there has been the addition of Nestory Irankunda from Bayern Munich which is very exciting.
Now, Watford have confirmed the return of Caleb Wiley from Chelsea on a loan until the end of the season, and he has had positive things to say about his new manager.
- READ MORE – Why Birmingham City retired the number 22 shirt for Jude Bellingham after just 44 appearances
Caleb Wiley speaks out positively about Watford manager Paulo Pezzolano
Wiley made 10 appearances in the Championship for the Hornets last season after joining on loan in the January transfer window, and he will be hoping that a full campaign at Vicarage Road will allow him the minutes he needs for his development.
The USA left-back has never featured for Chelsea’s senior team, playing for Atlanta United and Strasbourg so far in his career, as well as the Hertfordshire outfit.
Nonetheless, he is keen to get on with the 2025/26 season, with Pezzolano impressing him already. He said (via: WatfordFC.com): “I’ve talked to Paulo a few times now. We haven’t done too much on the field yet, but he seems like a great guy and he’s a good guy to be around.
“He’s going to take this team to the next level.”
- READ MORE – Sheffield Wednesday starlet sends heartfelt message to the club as he begins his ‘new chapter’
The Hornets still have work to do to achieve a play-off finish
Although Watford have made some good signings already, Tom Dele-Bashiru looks set to leave and he will be tough to replace.
With such significant changes to the squad, it may take time to gel. Therefore, their final pre-season games are vital to ensuring that they can come out of the blocks quickly.
Away form was a real weak point for the Hornets in 2024/25, and Pezzolano must fix this if Watford are to challenge further up the league table and a play-off finish may still just be out of reach for the time being.