'New-look Watford can challenge for play-offs'

After an already busy summer transfer window, Watford closed it out on transfer deadline day by signing three more players.

Winger Nikoloz Chikovani and right-back Jeremy Petris arrived for undisclosed fees, while centre-back Formose Mendy signed on a season-long loan.

Lorient defender Mendy is someone BBC 3CR's Geoff Doyle believes will slot straight into the first-team picture with the club possessing depth in the position.

"[Mendy is] likely to be almost number one choice at centre-back. The way Kevin Keben's been playing, he's [now] almost second choice," Doyle said.

"[James] Abankwah hasn't done much wrong, [Mattie] Pollock's coming back from injury plus [Max] Alleyne, who is the back-up. That's five really quite useful ones so Watford at centre-back have plenty of choice."

Another defensive addition comes in the form of Petris who signed from Royal Charleroi in Belgium.

"[He has] plenty of pace, aggressive, pretty tall and [fits] this profile of a Watford side that is physically big and strong and tall," Doyle added.

On Chikovani, a Georgia Under-19 international who signed from Dinamo Tbilisi, Doyle added: "This is one for the future. [Watford] will loan him out at some point."

Doyle believes the final Watford squad for the 2025-26 season shows potential and is one that fans can be optimistic about.

"Watford have got plenty of depth now, plenty of talent. They've got the experienced ones in there so all pretty positive.

"It's a much much better squad so people can be optimistic. Just that number nine position is the worry, otherwise they can give it a right go this year."

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