Watford striker Matej Vydra seems to be up for the challenge of fighting for his place in Watford’s squad after claiming he is "completely focused on playing Premier League football" to WD Sport.

However, with new head coach Walter Mazzarri having an array of attacking options, does the 24-year-old have a future at Vicarage Road?

Flying start to Watford career

Vydra’s first loan spell at Watford was in 2012-2013, where he made an instant impact scoring 20 goals in 41 games. His performances and goals during that season helped Watford reach the Championship Play-Off Final, only to lose out against Crystal Palace.

After signing for West Brom the following season on a season-long loan deal, Vydra returned to the Vic in 2014-2015, and replicated his form for Watford.

The Czech Republic international scored 16 goals in 42 games, and played an integral part in securing promotion to the Premier League.

Recent dip in form

Following their promotion success, Watford signed Vydra permanently in July 2015 on a five-year deal.

Despite this contract signing, the forward did not appear in previous manager Quique Sanchez Flores’ first-team plans, and was sent out on loan to Championship side Reading.

Vydra only netted three times in 31 appearances for Reading last season and as a result of a disappointing season, the striker was not selected to represent Czech Republic at Euro 2016.

Watford’s attacking options

The Hornets have already had a busy summer transfer window, signing four new players including two strikers.

Nigerian forward Isaac Success signed for a club-record fee in the region of £12.5m, while 19-year-old prospect Jerome Sinclair has joined from Liverpool for an undisclosed fee.

Watford have already bolstered their frontline with the signing of Success this summer (photo: Getty)
Watford have already bolstered their frontline with the signing of Success this summer (photo: Getty)

Watford also look likely to keep hold of their two talismen Troy Deeney and Odion Ighalo this summer. Captain Deeney was linked with a move to Premier League Champions Leicester City before signing a new five-year contract at Vicarage Road last month. In addition, Watford have rejected a 37.5m bid from Shanghai SIPG for last season’s top goal-scorer Odion Ighalo.

20-year-old striker Obbi Oulare is also looking to fight for his place in Watford’s squad, after completing a £6m move from Club Brugge last season.

Due to Watford’s summer signings, four overseas players will have to be left out of the Premier League squad. With Vydra not seeming to be a first-choice striker, the Czech Republican might be forced to look elsewhere in order to play first-team football.

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About the author
Tommy Ardener
Aspiring Sports Journalist studying at the University of Brighton. Major interest in Football, Boxing and Basketball.