Presenting Pervis Estupinan: The in-house answer to Watford's left-back woes
Watford were effectively in cruise control heading into the break, yet on the stroke of half time, Everton forced their way back into the game through an unlikely source. Yerry Mina struck a brace as the Toffees came from 2-0 down to draw level. The brace completely threw Watford's game plan. Even Fabian Delph's second half dismissal didn't help matters as Theo Walcott notched Everton's third in second half injury time.
After their revival following Nigel Pearson's appointment, a three-match winless run, including back-to-back defeats at the hands of Aston Villa and Everton, sees Watford coming into the weekend trip to Brighton back in the relegation zone. The pair are separated by just three points at the wrong end of the table as the Hornets aim to put a sting in the Seagulls' tail at the AMEX.
While that will prove easier said than done - Brighton have lost just the three times at home this season - the one positive that Pearson can take from last weekend's capitulation is that Watford finally had a defender net a Premier League goal this season. Adam Masina put Watford ahead with just 10 minutes on the clock with his first goal since his arrival 18 months ago in what was a bittersweet afternoon for the 28-year-old.
Yet it's an issue for Pearson that needs to be rectified. Along with Masina, Daryl Janmaat is the only other full-back to have had a direct hand in a Watford goal this season. Janmaat, meanwhile, hasn't made a top-flight appearance since early November. Liverpool have shown the worth of attacking full-backs and the lack of goal output from Watford's defenders will be a particularly concerning for Pearson given their 4-2-3-1 system.
There is increased pressure on the full-backs to prove attacking width when the two wingers - nominally Gerard Deulofeu and Ismaila Sarr - cut infield to help stretch opponents, yet the Watford left and right-backs have struggled to provide a consistent attacking outlet. This is particularly important down the left, with Spaniard Deulofeu developing a statistically calculated WhoScored style of play of 'likes to cut inside'.
It's important that the overlapping full-back then occupy the space to ensure attacks don't break down and while Masina, Kiko Femina and Jose Holebas, the other two players along with Masina used at left-back this term, are willing runners, they don't afford Watford the offensive thrust required to aid the system. And with a majority of Watford's attacks (38%) coming down their last, a more influential left-back is required.
That said, Watford need not go out and spend heavily on a new left-back this summer, but instead look in house. The Hornets boast an impressive array of scouts scouring South America to help bolster the squad and a number of those are gaining experience in Spain this term. Colombian Luis Suarez is the third top scorer in the Spanish Segunda with 14 league goals to his name with Real Zaragoza, while Cucho Hernandez has earned game time with Mallorca.
And for Osasuna, Pervis Estupinan has made a regular starting spot his own. The Ecuadorian is anything but a household name, and yet he has proven a revelation for an Osasuna side sat 11th in Spain's top tier. Having joined from LDU Quito in 2016, Estupinan has been sent on a fair few loan spells to little fanfare, but after achieving promotion with Mallorca, the 22-year-old was sent on a two-year spell to fellow promoted side Osasuna last summer.
The deal, though, has a recall option in the summer, which is a boost to Watford and a route they may explore, particularly is Estupinan continues to excel and the Hornets' current options flatter to decieve. Indeed, Estupinan has helped himself to a goal and three assists in LaLiga this season and has had a direct hand in 13.8% of Osasuna's league goals following their return to Spain's top tier.
For context, all of Watford's defenders combined have had a direct hand in three goals in the Premier League this term.
The youngster has the attacking skillset to establish himself in a key man in this Watford side if the Hornets and Pearson deem him ready enough to consolidate a regular starting spot at Vicarage Road. His performances in LaLiga have provided a glimpse into what he can bring to the club in the coming campaign given his four WhoScored man of the match awards rank among the top 10 players, while a WhoScored rating of 7.04 is not to be scoffed at given only Chima Avila (7.15) has earned better of all Osasuna players.
A threat from the touchline, it's seen Estupinan put in 29 accurate crosses, excluding corners, in LaLiga this season, a return bettered only by Jesus Navas (35) to reinforce a statistically calculated WhoScored strength of 'crossing'. Imagine it now, Watford fans, Estupinan finding the head of Troy Deeney with ruthless consistency. Given only Tottenham (29) have had fewer headed attempts on goal than Watford (30), who in turn have scored just one headed goal all season, a player of Estupinan's calibre could offer the Hornets an additional threat from wide and one that is excelling in one of football's top league.
Meanwhile Estupinan's 30 goalscoring chances created is the third best of LaLiga defenders this season, while his 38 successful dribbles is top of all defenders. Factor in that only Brazilian midfield brusiers Casemiro (42) and Fernando (39) have made more interceptions than Estupinan (38) in Spain's top tier this term, he shows a great reading of the game that belies his tender years and it allows for the left-back to instigate rapid attacks when he does win the ball. Given this Watford side currently boasts a sole WhoScored strength - creating goalscoring chances - the Ecuadorian is one who has the potential to slot into this Hornets outfit with ease.
At his age, he is far from the finished product, but Estupinan is one who has the weapons in his arsenal to nail down the left-back slot at Watford. There is likely to have been a very good reason the Hornets put in a recall option in his loan deal and if his LaLiga form is anything to go by, Estupinan could well be turning up at Vicarage Road sooner than many will have expected when they sent him to Osasuna last summer.
