There is still a huge possibility that one of Nigeria’s most productive attackers last term may not play Premier League football next season
A section of the Watford fanbase has called on Super Eagles forward Emmanuel Bonaventure Dennis to shelve any plans of leaving the club this summer.
Dennis is one of the most exciting attackers on the Watford payroll and a fan favourite at the Vicarage Road, following a brilliant debut season in England.
But with Watford set for life in the EFL Championship, keeping the Nigeria international away from the claws of top-flight admirers could be the Hornets’ most significant challenge in August.
Why do Watford supporters love Dennis so?
Dennis arrived in England last year with a bad boy reputation that had gained traction after an unfortunate bus seating incident at his former team Club Brugge.
The 25-year-old was also not helped by an uninspiring loan spell in Germany with FC Cologne.
But Watford took a gamble on him, and it paid off far more than they could have imagined.
During a turbulent year for Watford in the Premier League, Dennis was the Golden Boys’ one shining light, with his commitment and productivity on display every time he was on the pitch.
The forward finished the campaign with ten goals and six assists and the division’s highest number of nutmegs.
Which EPL clubs can steal him away from Watford?
Dennis’ brilliant debut season attracted the attention of several English clubs.
And with Watford’s demotion to Championship, top-flight clubs were always going to cherry-pick the Hornets’ best stars.
Nottingham Forest, West Ham, Newcastle United, and Everton have all been credited with an interest in the versatile attacker.
Watford are resigned to losing their star forward, but the Golden Boys have no intention of letting him leave on a cheap.
They have slammed a €20 million tag on Dennis, a transfer fee that has so far put off a few interested suitors.
Will Watford fans get what they want?
Still, Dennis has stayed committed to the Watford cause, raising no trouble whatsoever.
The former Club Brugge winger even starred on Monday as Watford defeated Sheffield United 1-0 on matchday one of the new league season.
Watford fans are desperate to see Dennis stay at Vicarage Road and help their push for promotion back to the Premier League.
Many of them flooded Dennis’ Twitter comment section to plead with the Super Eagles star to shun any move away from Watford.
https://twitter.com/JackWFC123/status/1554498529674018816
https://twitter.com/Coopy_84/status/1554504583929630721
https://twitter.com/BigManBigName1/status/1554500422139887616
After the 5-2 battering I really wouldn’t
— MB (@WavyyMB) August 2, 2022
Great performance last night! Work rate was phenomenal
— Mark Annis (@markanni5) August 2, 2022
https://twitter.com/HJClarke95/status/1554502780693495808
wouldnt downgrade
— Aiden (@aidenWFC) August 2, 2022
mate i love you please stay
— Aiden (@aidenWFC) August 2, 2022
With 16 goal contributions, Dennis was by some distance the most productive Nigerian player in the English Premier League last season.
As the world’s most glamorous league, the EPL will miss the Nigeria international should he be tied to his Watford contract in the Championship.