Dennis goalscoring form has Watford believing they can beat the drop
Prior to his move to Watford, Emmanuel Dennis was best remembered for being that player who scored twice at the Bernabeu. In 2019, Dennis, then playing for Club Brugge, bagged a brace as the Belgian side held Real Madrid to a 2-2 draw. The performance thrust the Nigerian into the spotlight, but it was a short-lived stay for the striker.
Dennis infamously failed to scored a single league goal in 2020/21 as both Club Brugge and FC Koln were unable to maximise his goalscoring talent in the Jupiler Pro League and the Bundesliga, respectively. The Hornets, then, had no real problem with acquiring the striker's services over the summer, spending around £3.5m to land Dennis from Club Brugge.
When they confirmed his arrival at Vicarage Road in June, Dennis penning a five-year deal in the process, it was a transfer that largely went under the radar. Even after a fine opening weekend performance against Aston Villa, where the 24-year-old scored one and assisted another, few could have foreseen Dennis rising to be one of the stars of the season so far. In his opening eight appearances, the Hornets star scored just twice, but a superb cameo appearance at Everton seemed to kickstart an exceptional run of form.
Dennis came off the bench to score one and provide two assists in the surprise 5-2 win at Goodison Park in October and since that showing, the Nigeria international has been nigh-on unstoppable.
Having scored at Brentford on Friday night, Dennis now has seven goals and five assists to his name. Only Mohamed Salah (23) has had a direct hand in more goals than Dennis (12) in the Premier League this season. Since Claudio Ranieri succeeded Xisco as Watford boss, the former Club Brugge man has repaid the faith shown in him by the Hornets and then some. Indeed, a WhoScored rating of 7.36 is the 13th best in the Premier League of those to have made five or more appearances since the October international break, when Ranieri was appointed.
People will lok to his attacking qualities as a key reason for his excellent rating under Ranieri and it is easy to see why. Only Ismaila Sarr (1.9) is completing more dribbles per 90 than Dennis (1.8) of all Watford players in the Premier League this season, while 1.4 key passes per 90 ranks sixth for Ranieri's side. However, a key asset to Dennis' game this season has been his hard work off the ball, that ensuring Watford are keeping their head above water.
Two tackles per 90 is a high return for a player in his position to reinforce a statistically calculated WhoScored strength of 'defensive contribution' and ranks eighth for Watford. The Hornets may have conceded more goals (21) than any other team since Ranieri took charge, yet Dennis' tenacity ensures the full-backs are covered and opposition defences don't have a chance to settle without the striker applying pressure to force a mistake.
As is to be expected, a host of Premier League teams are taking notice of Dennis' form for Watford. Arsenal and Manchester United have been credited with an interest and it's easy to see why. Given Watford rank among the bottom 10 teams for shots (11.3) and key passes per game (8.9), the striker's prolificacy is both a far cry from his league form last season and a testament to his mental quality to not allow his 2020/21 performances affect his rapid adjustment to the rigours of Premier League football.
It'll be difficult for Dennis to maintain this purple patch of form, but he is utilising the tools at his disposal to soar back into the limelight for the Hornets. 12 goals and assists combined is a better return than many would have expected following his summer arrival, so if Watford do elect to sell, then they'll make a significant return on their investment on Dennis. That said, if the Hornets do avoid the drop, then their gamble on the striker will have certainly paid off.
