--- source: thedugout.football generated: 2026-07-24T18:56:23.762Z last_updated: 2026-07-15T13:30:00+00:00 data_provider: API-Football canonical: https://thedugout.football/clubs/watford/news/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cud2F0Zm9yZG9ic2VydmVyLmNvLnVrL3Nwb3J0LzI2MjgyNTE0Lm11Y2gtY2FuLXdhdGZvcmRzLWItdGVhbS1wbGF5ZXJzLWltcGFjdC1maXJzdC10ZWFtLz9yZWY9cnNz --- # How much can Watford - **Source:** - **Published:** 15 Jul - **Club:** Watford - **Original URL:** https://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/sport/26282514.much-can-watfords-b-team-players-impact-first-team/?ref=rss For a number of Watford's Under-21 players, a summer of significant change has taken another turn. The club scrapped the team entirely in May because so few first-team prospects were coming through the system – so there is an irony to how many of the same players, still contracted and forming a new 'B-team', are now being called upon to fulfil first-team fixtures. In years to come, there are likely to be fewer players contracted in this age bracket. Alessio Dionisi had 10 what you would call 'senior' players to pick from at Boreham Wood and Kwadwo Baah made that tally 11 at Barnet. With Egil Selvik, Jeremy Ngakia, Edo Kayembe, Jack Grieves, Rocco Vata, Nestory Irankunda and – presumably – summer signings to be added, that number will soon be bolstered. Watford line up at Barnet (Image: Alan Cozzi/Watford FC) But still, with the club openly unable to compete financially with several Championship rivals and no new additions yet confirmed, there is an opportunity for players whose futures seemed very uncertain a couple of months ago to make their mark. The Watford Observer has been told of some disgruntlement at the informal way the news of the academy reshuffle was communicated to players and their families, but there has been little sign of that creeping into their efforts this summer. This feels like one last chance for several of those aged 18-21 to crack it at Watford – and despite so few graduates having properly established themselves since Gino Pozzo bought the club in 2012, the thinness of the squad means the Hornets could do with a few of them coming up trumps, too. Alfie Marriott bowls it out (Image: Alan Cozzi/Watford FC) At Barnet, Alfie Marriott was comfortable in goal, while Albert Eames has impressed as a full-back under Charlie Daniels and Aidy Mariappa for a while and looks composed - though it was Travis Akomeah and James Clarridge who shone in the heart of defence. Clarridge, now aged 22, did well two summers ago under Tom Cleverley, ultimately moved out on loan once reinforcements arrived, but at least seems to have done enough to earn himself a career in the pyramid somewhere. Akomeah, meanwhile, can be considered among the brightest of the crop, having returned from Chelsea in January 2025 with an eye on genuinely playing first-team football. Travis Akomeah in action (Image: Alan Cozzi/Watford FC) He skippered the team at The Hive and has the build, poise and grace of a modern-day centre-back, chucking his body on the line where needed but also getting attacks moving with line-splitting passes. Having spoken afterwards of his hope to "claim the shirt" by the time the season begins, and with only Mattie Pollock and Kevin Keben above him in the pecking order, he feels as close as anybody to making a real impact in 2026/27. In midfield, the hype surrounding Leo Ramirez-Espain has existed ever since a couple of impressive League Cup cameos under Cleverley, though they remain his only senior appearances. Ramirez-Espain is a classic playmaker, possessing lovely technique, vision and quick feet, but probably needs to beef up physically to mix it in the Championship. If the choice existed between signing squad filler from elsewhere or using Akomeah and Ramirez-Espain as depth in their respective positions, though, the latter would surely be preferable. Amar Sanghrajka was also involved in the first-team last season and was a favourite of Paulo Pezzolano's, who picked him for the bench ahead of Tom Ince at Swansea City last August. He appears to be a little further down the pecking order, but - with Remiero Moulton - should at least be attracting glances from clubs in the pyramid. Amin Nabizada on the ball (Image: Alan Cozzi/Watford FC) The attacking football the youngsters played at Barnet really caught the eye, led by Amin Nabizada, who can basically be considered a first-team player at this stage. Nabizada signed a new four-and-a-half-year deal with the club last season and featured off the bench for Ed Still towards the end of the campaign, shining at The Hive as the creative hub between midfield and attack. The feeling at Watford, backed up on this evidence, is that the 18-year-old has all the ability to cut it, but must improve his team and tactical awareness. He slalomed and pirouetted through Barnet's back-line but has probably been on the end of more instruction from Dionisi than any other player in the first couple of matches, the Italian barking out instructions about his positioning and pressing. Still, Nabizada is good enough that Watford can save limited cash on directly replacing Giorgi Chakvetadze. If Othmane Maamma, Kwadwo Baah, Nestory Irankunda and Rocco Vata are the wide options, he can slot in nicely as the fifth choice. Nikoloz Chikovani looked bright in attack but was also the victim of Dionisi's ire due to his out-of-possession work, while Michael Adu-Poku has looked dangerous down the right in both matches. Nikoloz Chikovani starts at Barnet (Image: Alan Cozzi/Watford FC) Zavier Massiah-Edwards has plenty of talent and took his goal nicely, too. It was notable, frankly, how much the intensity and cohesion dipped when Watford's first team initially replaced their younger team-mates, Barnet taking advantage almost immediately to score. Though the seniors did eventually come on strong, and missed big chances to win, the gap between the two XIs did not appear massive – taking into account, of course, that there is little value in reading too much into pre-season performances. We can read into the lack of depth in the first-team squad, though, and assume that the club may actually need their Under-21s more than ever. And at a time when the connection between supporters and hierarchy is suboptimal, even one success story from the academy this season could prove enough to put a few more smiles on faces. On the early evidence of this summer, it appears that at least a handful of them could be ready to make their mark.