Watford Opinion: Guillermo Ochoa could make a massive difference for the Hornets next season
According to claims from Mexican publication Record, as cited by Watford Observer, Watford have been linked with a move for Mexican international goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa.
The 33-year-old, who currently plies his trade in the Belgian top-flight with Standard Liege, is out of contract in the summer, with reports suggesting that the veteran is keen to move on and seek a challenge at a higher level. (h/t Watford Observer)
Watford Observer understands that Hornets manager Javi Gracia is a big admirer of Ochoa and wants to bring the Mexican to Vicarage Road this summer on a free transfer, having worked with him together at Malaga earlier in his managerial career.
Ochoa made his move to Standard Liege from Malaga back in the summer of 2017 and has made a total of 86 appearances for the Belgian powerhouse in all competitions till date, managing 22 clean sheets in the process.
A youth product of Mexican club America, Ochoa made 204 appearances for his boyhood club over the course of 8 seasons before making his move to Europe with newly-promoted Ligue 1 club Ajaccio back in 2011.
The Mexican spent three fruitful seasons in the French top flight before moving across the continent to join Spanish outfit Malaga in 2014. He found himself down the pecking order at the club and spent time on loan at fellow La Liga club Granada. Ochoa earned plenty of plaudits for his fine performances between the sticks on his loan spell before leaving Spain to join Belgium’s Standard Liege.
Ochoa, who has 101 caps for Mexico at the senior international level, is a household name in world football, having represented his nation at 4 FIFA World Cups. The 33-year-old has also won 3 CONCACAF Gold Cup titles with his nation in 2009, 2011 and 2015 and his exploits between the sticks over the years have led to him being considered as one of the best goalkeepers of his generation.
To put things into perspective, it is not difficult to comprehend why Watford are looking to snap Ochoa up on a free transfer this summer. The Hornets are in desperate need of bringing in a quality shot-stopper to compete with the likes of Ben Foster and Heurelho Gomes for the No.1 role and the Mexican certainly fits the bill.
Former England international Foster is now 36 and he is certainly at the twilight of his career, although he was Watford’s undisputed No.1 this past season. Foster did a pretty good job with the gloves and even if he retains his position as the first-choice next season, Watford need to find a replacement for Gomes. The Brazilian is already 38 and it is unlikely that he would continue playing for too long.
A goalkeeper of Ochoa’s calibre is more than capable of competing for the No.1 role at Vicarage Road and his wealth of experience at the highest level could prove to be a huge asset to the team. Noted for his commanding presence inside the box and leadership skills, Ochoa not only excels with his razor-sharp reflexes but he is also very much capable of handling the pressure and organising his defence to perfection.
The Mexican’s eccentric style of play, game-reading and shot-stopping ability from all ranges have earned him rave reviews from various coaches and pundits all over the world, and at 33, the time might just be right for him to test his credentials in the Premier League.
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Watford have no reason to be hesitant regarding this move and the acquisition of a player of Ochoa’s calibre for free would be nothing but a masterstroke from Gracia, and an absolute steal for the Hornets.
