On July 2, Watford announced the signing of left-back Jose Holebas on a three year-deal from Roma. The Greek defender – who started 23 matches for i Giallorossi last term as they finished second in the Serie A – became the fourth new recruit at Vicarage Road this summer, following the capture of centre-back Sebastian Prodl, keeper Giedrius Arlauskis and forward Matej Vydra.
When the move was announced, it seemed that Holebas – as explained in an interview with the Italian press – was caught unaware after both clubs went public with the deal without his knowledge:
“They arranged my transfer without asking me. I haven’t signed anything yet, I have to see the contract first. I don’t know why this has happened, I know that both Roma and Watford announced my transfer, but they’d have to talk to my representatives first. I never said I wanted to leave Roma. I’ll sign after first agreeing to the terms of the contract. I can’t understand what’s happened, I came back from my holiday in Dubai, and everyone started telling me my transfer had been officially announced. I’m in Germany right now, how could I sign a contract?”
The History
After learning his trade at four local non-professional youth teams, the Germany-born Holebas teamed up with sixth division side Viktoria Kahl. Operating as striker, Holebas netted 15 goals in 33 outings, prompting a move to second division side 1860 Munich prior to the start of the 2006/7 campaign.
Holebas made his breakthrough into the senior side the following term, producing two goals and three assists across 19 appearances. At this point, the Greece international was still being deployed as a forward (either on the left flank or in a central berth) and this would continue until manager Ewald Linen shifted him to left wing-back at the start of the 2009/10 campaign. In all, Holebas amassed seven goals and eight assists in 74 league outings for 1860 Munich.
Holebas then followed Lienen to Olympiakos in the summer of 2010. Despite flattering to deceive in the first half of the season, the versatile wide man established himself as a regular starter and went on to tally one goal and an assist in 24 appearances. Over the course of his four-season spell with The Legend, Holebas chalked up nine goals and 17 assists, with his attacking output in the 2012/13 campaign (four goals and eight assists) sticking out as a highlight.
Roma snapped Holebas up on a three-year deal in August 2014, placing him in direct competition with ex-Chelsea left-back Ashley Cole. Ultimately, Holebas came out on top in this contest, earning 23 starts (one goal and assist) to Cole’s 11.
By way of being born in Germany and possessing a Greek-Uruguayan heritage, Holebas was eligible to play for all three nations but chose to represent Greece on the international stage. He featured in all of Greece’s match-ups in the 2014 World Cup and to date has recorded one goal and three assists in 27 appearances.
The Prospects
Holebas has yet to start in Watford’s two pre-season matches so far, which have seen new boss Quique Sanchez Flores roll out a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Ikechi Anya fielded at left-back. The Greek international was afforded 15 minutes off the bench in the weekend draw with Wimbledon and is expected to nail down a regular role once he improves his match sharpness.
Looking at his attacking numbers from last season, Holebas produced a total of 19 attempts on goal and 19 key passes in Serie A – an average of 108.1 minutes for both. Compared to Premier League defenders with 1000+ minutes in 2014/15, that places him ninth (Danny Rose was eighth) for shots and sixteenth (Aaron Cresswell was fifteenth) for key passes.
Like the rest of the Hornets’ likely defensive starters, Holebas comes in at 4.5 in the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) game. A change in the BPS scoring, which is expected to favour central defenders, may persuade some to consider new boy Sebastian Prodl or Gabriele Angell instead, though. The six foot six inches-tall Prodl netted three times in 19 starts in the previous Bundesliga campaign – consequently averaging a goal at a greater frequency (every 581 minutes) than all Premier League defenders bar Chris Smalling (every 495 minutes) last term. Angell, who’s recorded nine goals (including two braces) and seven assists in his two seasons with the Hornets, fashioned the most shots (24) of any Watford defender last time out. Meanwhile, first choice right-back, Juan Carlos Paredes, chalked up four assists, yet his limited goal threat somewhat tempers our appeal.
Elsewhere at the back, the Hertfordshire club’s recruitment of Steaua Bucharest shot-stopper Giedrius Arlauskis places uncertainty over Heurelho Gomes’ starting berth for the season ahead. Watford conceded the fifth lowest number of goals (50) last season – though given they managed just 15 clean sheets (eight at home) – whoever wins the number one jersey may have to rely on save points to boost their Fantasy potential.
Watford embark on a fairly difficult start to the new campaign which may ultimately deter initial investors. Trips to Everton and United in the first five, allied with visits from West Brom, Southampton and Swansea, suggest it’s perhaps best to hold fire with our plans until the schedule takes a turn for the better around Gameweek 6.
Nonetheless, Flores’ side do rotate home and away with Bournemouth over the 38 Gameweeks and with a decent run (AVL, WBA, SOT, LEI, SWA, SUN, CPL, WAT) over the opening eight rounds of fixtures, they could appeal to those looking for a 9.0 defensive pairing in their five-man backlines.
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