Why Watford signing Philip Zinckernagel would be a shrewd move
According to the Watford Observer, Watford are on the verge of completing a deal for Bodo/Glimt winger Philip Zinckernagel in the January transfer window.
As per the report, the Hornets are in advanced talks with the former Danish U-20 international, who is set to become a free agent on January 1 following the expiry of his contract with the Norwegian outfit. It has also been claimed that the player is expected to undergo a medical at Vicarage Road, thus making a move to the English capital imminent.
The 26-year-old made a massive impact in the recently-concluded 2019 Eliteserien campaign in Norway, playing a key role in Bodo/Glimt’s title triumph. Zinckernagel bagged an eye-watering tally of 19 goals and 24 assists in just 28 appearances, winning the club’s Player of the Year award as a result of his telling contribution.
Zinckernagel rose through the youth ranks of Nordsjaelland in his homeland but never made a competitive appearance for his boyhood club. He featured for HB Koge and FC Helsingor in the Danish second-tier before making a name for himself in the top-flight with Sonderjyske.
The Dane moved to Bodo/Glimt in 2018 and has racked up some crazy numbers over the past couple of years, registering 35 goals and 36 assists in 89 appearances.
Meanwhile, Watford got off to a winning start under new manager Xisco Munoz in the Championship with a 1-0 victory over pace-setters Norwich City on Boxing Day. The Hornets closed the gap on the automatic promotion places with the Hertfordshire outfit now just a couple of points behind 2nd-placed Swansea City.
The Hornets boast the second-best defensive record in the division with just 15 goals conceded. However, they have managed just 24 goals in 21 games so far, which epitomises the need for some transfer spark in January to bolster the attack. Putting things into context, Watford completing a deal for Philip Zinckernagel would hand a massive boost to their bid for automatic promotion back to the top-flight at the first time of asking.
Watford have some quality players up top in the form of Andy Gray. Troy Deeney and Ismaila Sarr. But they are somewhat short of specialist options in the wide areas. Sarr and Ken Sema, who are largely featured as a wing-back so far, are the only recognised wingers in the set-up. The arrival of Zinckernagel, to that end, would add some much-needed depth and variety to the club’s forward line.
The 26-year-old is essentially a right-winger by trade but has occasionally been deployed on the other side of the pitch and through the middle in a No.10 role. Zinckernagel is high on confidence after racking up some incredible numbers at Bodo/Glimt in the Norwegian top-flight and could be a real asset to Watford’s promotion hopes if he manages to replicate his heroics at Vicarage Road.
Verdict
The difference in quality and intensity between the Norwegian top-flight and the English second-tier certainly can’t be overlooked. But the Eliteserien has produced some real gems in recent times, with the likes of Erling Haaland and Jens Petter Hauge going on to excel at Borussia Dortmund and AC Milan respectively.
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Having said that, Watford could unearth their own gem from Norway in the form of Philip Zinckernagel. The Dane still potentially has his best years ahead of him at 26 and snapping him up on a free transfer should mitigate the risk of the move backfiring.
