--- source: thedugout.football generated: 2026-07-24T18:56:12.992Z last_updated: 2026-07-15T10:39:00+00:00 data_provider: API-Football canonical: https://thedugout.football/clubs/watford/news/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cud2F0Zm9yZG9ic2VydmVyLmNvLnVrL3Nwb3J0LzI2MjgxNjY2LmFrb21lYWgtbWFzc2l2ZS1vcHBvcnR1bml0eS1icmVhay13YXRmb3JkLXRlYW0vP3JlZj1yc3M --- # Akomeah sees - **Source:** - **Published:** 15 Jul - **Club:** Watford - **Original URL:** https://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/sport/26281666.akomeah-massive-opportunity-break-watford-team/?ref=rss Travis Akomeah senses a "massive opportunity" to play first-team football for Watford this season, after captaining a young team in a 2-2 draw at Barnet on Tuesday night. While centre-backs are on the club's transfer wish list, Mattie Pollock and Kevin Keben are the only senior options currently available to Alessio Dionisi. More: How much can Watford's B-team players impact the first team? More: Competition: Win a Watford FC 2026/27 home shirt That has provided 20-year-old Akomeah with the chance to not just train but feature prominently with the first team this summer - and he has genuine hopes of remaining in the fold. The defender initially came through the Hornets' academy before signing for Chelsea, aged 16, in 2022, before returning back to WD18 in January 2025. Having been named as a sub twice by Tom Cleverley that April, Akomeah spent most of last season on loan at Gillingham in League Two, making 17 appearances and gaining "amazing experience". 📸 A useful workout for our youngsters 1-1 at the break. pic.twitter.com/1heRT5HUMo — Watford Football Club (@WatfordFC) July 14, 2026 Akomeah has the build and poise of a modern-day centre-back - and having impressed at The Hive, is eyeing a spot in Dionisi's first team. He said: "There's a spot up for grabs this season and I'm just trying hard to train well every day and make that spot mine. "I want to try and play for the first team, that's the aim for this season. "If you're good enough, you're old enough. I think you shouldn't put an age limit on things. "I want to just keep working hard, proving myself day in, day out, and get the manager's trust. Then anything can happen. "There's a massive opportunity. Places are up for grabs and I want to make that shirt mine come the start of the season. That's what I'm aiming for." Dionisi was extremely active down the touchline, particularly during the 'B-team' first 45 minutes, and Akomeah has been struck by his enthusiasm for working with the younger players. He said: "The manager's very passionate. I know what he wants from the team and he's very hard-working. Alessio Dionisi at Barnet (Image: Alan Cozzi/Watford FC) "He likes hard work - and he likes talking, communication between us. For me as a centre-back, that's really important for him. "He's been really, really good with the whole group, drip-feeding us information day in and day out, on the way he wants us to play, his philosophy and his style. "The boys are doing really well." Akomeah wore the captain's armband from the start and showed both sides of his game, producing defensive interventions where needed but also kicking off one sweeping counter-attack with a smart pass out to Amin Nabizada during the opening 45 minutes. His partnership with James Clarridge formed the basis of a confident first half performance, which also featured some promising attacking play. He said: "It was a big opportunity for a lot of us younger ones to step up and make a mark. "This is what pre-season is all about, trying to take opportunities and make them yours. We gave a really good account of ourselves, so a lot of us can be pleased with our performances. Travis Akomeah captains Watford (Image: Alan Cozzi/Watford FC) "Wearing the armband allowed me to lead, which is something I pride myself on. Leadership is one of the good qualities in my game and I like to take it upon myself. It's great experience." Despite possessing plenty of the physical and technical attributes needed for a centre-back in 2026, Akomeah still knows where his priorities lie. "I'm a defender," he said. "My job is to keep a clean sheet and keep goals out of the back of the net. "If that requires me to get dirty then I'm more than willing to do that for the team. "The loan experience was amazing because you're fighting for three points every week, people's jobs are on the line, so I tried to bring that into the game tonight. "You've got to move smart on the pitch, make certain decisions and don't look back."