Watford find their very own Pogba
Argentine Pereyra looks a special talent
The LAST player to scurry out of the dressing rooms and through the media mixed zone, Roberto Pereyra appeared every inch the superstar.
Shepherded by a bruising bodyguard and dressed from head to toe in designer clothing, it all seemed rather prima donna, but for Watford supporters, this must have felt like the day Pereyra finally arrived.
The Argentine was signed two seasons ago from Juventus but this was only his 31st Premier League appearance after two campaigns undermined by injury and inconsistency. here, however, came a stunning reminder of a special talent.
Pereyra, we should remember, played in a Champions League final only three years ago, lining up alongside Gianluigi Buffon, Giorgio Chiellini, Andrea Pirlo and Paul Pogba as the Italian club lost to Barcelona.
For Argentina, he has shared a dressing room with Lionel Messi and Sergio Aguero.
Pereyra, signed for £13million in the summer of 2016, remains close friends with Pogba. The pair exchange text messages regularly and at Watford the increasing hope is that Pereyra can find the continuity to become their very own Pogba.
Just like the Frenchman, Pereyra is most effective from the left in a midfield three, carrying the ball with purpose, finding the crucial pass, selling dummies and feints to opponents.
Pereyra grew up in the Argentinian province of Tucuman, where his father worked all hours at a lemon factory, while the young Roberto says he ‘sold cans of copper and fruit just so I could buy a sandwich’.
With football boots too expensive, his talents were nurtured playing barefoot on the concrete streets.
Against Brighton, he produced a throwback, playground performance, one of balletic poise, tricks, flicks and nutmegs that wore down the opposition. Pereyra created Watford’s chances, dictated play and scored the two goals.
his first, a scorching volley from a looping Jose holebas cross, demonstrated a mastery of technique and concentration, and looks a shoo- in for the August goal of the month.
The strike raised his confidence and from there, he became unplayable. his second goal was less eye- catching but equally assured, as he cut in from the left flank and curled a smart finish into the corner of the goal.
Pereyra is only 27 and perhaps this form underlines why Watford were happy to take the money from everton for Richarlison. The one concern is that Watford have encountered interest from Torino but manager Javi Gracia insists Pereyra will stay. The player is settled in London, often socialising with compatriots erik Lamela, of Tottenham, and West ham’s Manuel Lanzini. Teammate Will hughes said: ‘Today speaks volumes for him. he is a top-quality player and today he has shown it. I have said since I joined I have learnt so much from him in training.’
For Watford, it has been an unusually quiet summer. Goalkeeper Ben Foster was the only new starter and Gracia is Watford’s first manager to end one season in charge and still be in the job at the start of the next, since they returned to the Premier League in 2015.
Their midfield powerhouse, Abdoulaye Doucoure, excellent last season and dominant here, has signed a five-year deal and says the new-found stability will help the club.
‘Before the game, the manager said a lot of teams spend a lot of money but we are a very good team. We don’t spend a lot but we kept players. We know each other more.’
While Watford begin the campaign with optimism, this was startlingly poor from Brighton. Chris hughton’s side had the worst away record in the division last season, taking only 11 points on the road. This was more of the same.
Brighton did not record a shot on target, even when a combined £30m of summer transfers, Yves Bissouma and Alireza Jahankabash, arrived for the final quarter of the game.
Striker Glenn Murray complained of poor service and said: ‘We are disappointed. It was a rude awakening. Right now I can’t say the words to be honest. We can only improve.’
They need to improve quickly, with Manchester United, Liverpool, Manchester City and Tottenham all up before the end of September.
hughton warned last season’s players that their places may now be under threat.
‘everybody has to play thinking about wanting to stay in the team,’ he said. ‘I’ll have a decision going into next week’s game.’ WATFORD (4-4-2): Foster 6; Janmaat 7, Cathcart 7, Kabasele 7, Holebas 7.5; Hughes 7.5 (Sema 81), Doucoure 7, Capoue 6.5, PEREYRA 8.5 (Femenia 81); Gray 7 (Succes 74, 6), Deeney 7. Subs not used: Gomes, Prodl, Mariappa, Masina. Scorer: Pereyra 35, 54. Booked: Holebas, Capoue. Manager: Javi Gracia 7.5. BRIGHTON (4-4-1-1): Ryan 6.5, Bruno 5.5 (Bong 25, 6), Duffy 5.5, Dunk 5, Bernardo 5.5; Knockaert 5, Stephens 5.5, Propper 5, March 5 (Jahankabash 71, 5.5); Gross 5 (Bissouma 60, 5.5); Murray 5. Subs not used: Button, Kayal, Locadia, Booked: Bernardo, Stephens. Manager: Chris Hughton 5. Referee: Jon Moss 7. Attendance: 20,051.