The agent of Watford midfielder Roberto Pereyra has revealed Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri “likes” his client.
Pereyra, 28, joined the Hornets in the summer of 2016 from Italian powerhouse Juventus and sees his present deal expire in June 2021.
How important is Pereyra to Watford? Four key things to know…
- Since becoming a Watford player the 13-time Argentina international has made no fewer than 68 appearances to date.
- Pereyra has registered 13 goals and created a further eight for his teammates.
- So far this season he’s bagged six goals in 21 league matches which is his best return across a season for the club.
- His efforts make him the club’s leading goalscorer ahead of Troy Deeney (five goals) and a number of players on three (Jose Holebas, Abdoulaye Doucouré, Gerard Deulofeu and Andre Gray).
- This has also seen him, reportedly, catch the eye of Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri who is looking to add to his squad this month.
His subsequent performances for Watford, following his arrival, have nonetheless attracted the attention of many.
One manager that has been impressed is Sarri though, according to his agent Sergio Furlan, former Watford boss Walter Mazzarri is keen to bring Pereyra back to Turin but in this case representing Torino.
“2018 was the year of his take-off,” Furlan told Tuttosport, as reported by the Mirror.
“He scored a dozen goals in a calendar year, something he’d never done before, and we’re talking about a midfielder, not a striker. He starts from the left and comes inside. The coach is getting the best out of him in this position and he’s doing very well.
“Mazzarri likes him, but so does Sarri. Maxi has great esteem for Mazzarri because he’s a sincere man. He’s a great coach and he knows how to get the best out of players. He moved to the Premier League after two years with Juventus thanks to Mazzarri.”
“The coach wanted him at Watford in 2016, but I can say that he already tried to sign him in 2012 when he was at Napoli,” he added.
“Did Mazzarri want him at Toro last summer? Yes, I can confirm that. There were talks, but the English team’s demands were considered excessive, I can’t deny that.
“A transfer in January? You can never say never in the market, but I tend to exclude it almost categorically. Chelsea also tried, but without success. To Toro in the summer? It would amaze me if the Granata didn’t try again, but we must see Maxi’s desires, Watford’s plans and the offers that will arrive.
“He wants to go back to playing in Europe, possibly in the Champions League.”
Sarri’s start
Last summer Maurizio Sarri swapped Serie A for the Premier League, ending a three-year association with Napoli to become Chelsea’s latest manager.
His spell with Napoli saw the former banker develop into one of European football’s most tactically astute coaches, with Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola becoming a huge fan.
The Blues, who have enjoyed previous successes with Italian coaches, felt they were on to a winner but it has been a tentative start.
So far he’s overseen 33 matches at the helm in all competitions. Of those Chelsea have won 22 giving him a win ratio of 66.7%. Sarri has tasted five defeats, including the recent League Cup semi-final first-leg against Tottenham Hotspur, whilst seeing his side register 58 goals and concede 25.
Instructed with returning Champions League football to Stamford Bridge the west London club currently sit fourth in the Premier League table whilst still active in the Europa League.
The post Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri “likes” Watford playmaker Roberto Pereyra, says agent appeared first on Squawka News.
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