OPINION

Watford 2025/26 Player of the Season tracker five games in.

Last season’s battle for Watford’s Player of the Season was notably odd.

Imran Louza won despite having only started one league game at the beginning of November, while Giorgi Chakvetadze, who appeared destined for the trophy for much of the season, finished third.

This time, I plan to watch the runners and riders throughout the campaign before the actual reward is awarded in May.

Yes, it’s early, so take it with a grain of salt, but this is how I’d rank the 2025/26 top five if voted on during the September international break.

Baah has only started one match, yet he has had a significant impact on practically every game.

The forward is a victim of a system shift that currently sees Paulo Pezzolano line up without wingers, but he remains the man he goes to when the game’s dynamics alter.

Excellent goals off the bench against Norwich and Southampton justified the decision to use the most dynamic player as a substitute, especially since 30 minutes of that leg pounding is often enough to avoid injury.

Regular starters, particularly Jeremy Ngakia and Luca Kjerrumgaard, may have been unlucky to miss out, but Baah is already living up to pre-season expectations.

4) Marc Bola

Marc Bola with his eyes on the ball (Image:

PA)Bola’s free transfer from Samsunspor was not the most high-profile signing of the summer, but his consistency as a left wing-back is perhaps underappreciated.

The Arsenal youth graduate has rarely gone wrong down his flank, where he is comfortable defensively and frequently combines well with left-sided midfielders and attacking players going the opposite way.

Caleb Wiley’s return to Vicarage Road this summer gives the club two very excellent alternatives on that side of defence, and supporters believe Wiley will be first choice.

That could now change, with Bola both available and capable of operating in a strong Championship side.

There was no assurance Kyprianou would do thus well.

Stepping up from League One to the Championship is not easy, and while he clearly has the attitude and personality to handle, it was tough to see his technical level surviving the transition.

Instead, he has thrived in a variety of situations, including centre-back in a four, centre-back in a three, holding midfield, and advanced midfield.

A free move for a player with EFL experience, on the rise in his career, a wise head on his shoulders, and the ability to be consistent all over the pitch, his signing checks all the boxes.

By the way, Kévin Keben is a very good football player.