“He could go and do that as well” – Troy Deeney tips Super Eagles star to become a Watford legend

The English striker ended his 11-year association with the Hornets in August, and he has tipped a Nigerian attacker to become the new fan favourite at Vicarage Road

Birmingham City star Troy Deeney is convinced of Emmanuel Dennis' quality and he expects the Nigerian striker to be elevated unto legend status level at Watford if he stays long enough.

Ismaila Sarr, who was snapped up for £40 million from Rennes in 2019, was expected to be the Hornets' star performer on the club's return to the Premier League.

But it is Nigerian attacker Dennis, signed for only €4 million from Club Brugge, who has been the star attraction for Watford in the first half of the season.

The 24-year-old already has six goals and five assists for the Golden Boys, the latest of which was a strike in the 2-1 defeat to Chelsea on Wednesday.

Having previously found the net against Manchester United and Leicester City, Dennis became the first Watford player since Deeney almost five years ago to score in three consecutive Premier League games.

Watford's fourth-highest goalscorer Deeney is already considered a club hero after scoring 140 goals in 419 appearances for the Hornets, 47 of which arrived in 165 Premier League during an 11-year stay at the club.

And the 33-year-old believes Dennis has the quality to be mentioned in the same breathe as some of the club's finest legends in history.

“Legends before me: Luther [Blissett], John Barnes, Tommy Mooney, Tommy Smith – everyone has a legacy and they do so much up to that point,” Deeney told Watford's official website.

“I’ve done my point and it’s up to the guys in the squad now to take it further than I ever could.

“The legends of this club all move forward and I’m just a name. There is an opportunity for someone else. I think [Emmanuel] Dennis is playing great and if he sticks around for five years, he could go and do that as well.”

Dennis will be keen to continue his brilliant run and add to his goals and assists tally when Watford host Manchester City at the Vicarage Road this weekend.