Earlier this month Watford confirmed the signing of Belgian defender Christian Kabasele, who joins from Genk for a reported £5.8 million.
Arriving on a five-year deal, the centre-half was afforded an extended summer break due to Belgium’s involvement in Euro 2016 before making his debut as a second-half sub in the 3-1 friendly win over Union Berlin last Tuesday evening.
Discussing his move with the club’s official website earlier this week, the defender reckons his style of play should help him acclimatise to his new surrounds:
“I am expecting the rhythm and the level to be very high. It’s going to be difficult but I have to work hard for this. I have good speed and I’m strong in the challenge. Also with the head I scored some goals last year with Genk. I will also try to improve all my weak points to be a complete player and to help the team have a good season.”
The History
Born in Lubumbashi, Zaire, Kabasele began his career at Belgian second division side Eupen, making his debut as a 17-year-old in 2008. The following season he was part of the side that won promotion to the Belgian Pro League – in his first spell at the club, he made nine appearances in all competitions.
During the 2010/11 campaign, Kabasele was sent out on loan to fellow Pro League side Mechelen, where he played four times, scoring one goal.
In August 2011, the Belgian defender joined Bulgarian side Ludogorets Razgrad for an undisclosed fee. Although he was part of a side that won a league and cup double, registering three goals and an assist in 11 appearances, Kabasele returned to Eupen ahead of the 2012/13 campaign.
Over the next two seasons, Kabasele would cement himself as a regular, playing 41 matches and scoring six goals, impressing enough to earn himself a move to Genk in the summer of 2014.
Kabasele’s career has continued in an upward trajectory over the past two years, with an impressive seven goals and one assist accrued over 81 appearances for Genk. Standing at six foot once inch tall, the Belgian looks to have strong athleticism, and also the physical attributes in which to make the step up to the Premier League.
The 25-year-old has represented Belgium at every youth level from Under 18 upwards and notably scored five goals in 10 matches for the Under 19s. Kabasele has yet to make his senior debut, although he was a member of Marc Wilmots’ Euro 2016 squad.
The Prospects
The Watford defence was one of the most resilient budget rearguards around last term after keeping 11 clean sheets (eight at home) but, following the departure of Quique Sanchez Flores, the slate has very much been wiped clean.
Intriguingly, new boss Walter Mazzarri has started with a 3-5-2 formation in all three of the Hornets’ opening summer friendlies, though also utilised a four-man backline later in their first fixture.
Should, as expected, the Italian opt to play with three at the back, the likes of Jose Holebas, Allan Nyom and new boys Juan Camilo Zuniga and Brice Dja Djedjemay are likely to battle it out for the wing-back berths – all four are priced at 4.5 and look valid value options if they can nail down a regular role.
Frustratingly, Kabasele’s goal scoring record of 12 strikes over the last four seasons has earned him a price of 5.0 in FPL – that’s costlier than any Watford defender and on a par with Heurelho Gomes, who made more saves than any other goalkeeper last season, and also registered three penalty stops.
Granted, he is expected to command a regular role in the heart of defence as he battles it out with Craig Cathcart, Miguel Britos and Sebastian Prodl for a starting spot, though his price tag looks prohibitive – particularly if Mazzarri continues with a 3-5-2 and settles on his preferred wing-backs.
Certainly, Watford’s opening fixtures (sot, CHE, ARS, whm, MUN) will certainly also deter any initial investment in their main men, with points at either end of the pitch likely to be hard to come by in the early weeks of the season.
With some uncertainty over how Watford will line up at the back under Mazzari, FPL bosses will likely take a watching brief over the opening month of the Premier League season to evaluate the strongest route into the Hornets backline.
After that, though, a very favourable between Gameweeks 6 and 10 (bur, BOU, mid, swa, HUL) could well bring their cheap defenders onto our radars. Kabasele’s lofty valuation – relative to his backline team-mates – suggests he faces a real struggle to earn any investment unless he can make an immediate impact in and around the opposition box.
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