Arsenal

Scouts Watch Highly-Rated Hoban

Scouts from Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United and Man City were in the stands to watch highly-rated Watford defender Tommie Hoban on Saturday.

by
Football Talk
November 7, 2012

Despite the transfer window being closed, there is always transfer gossip doing the rounds in the papers and we’ll keep you up-to-date with the latest news during the coming months. Today, the big-guns watch Tommie Hoban.

Scouts from Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Man Utd and Man City were in the stands to watch highly-rated Watford defender Tommie Hoban on Saturday, according to the Daily Star.

The 18-year-old has become one of the most sought-after youngsters outside of the Premier League after forcing his way into Gianfranco Zola’s first team plans at Vicarage Road this season.

Arsenal know Hoban well as he spent time with them when he was a kid but the Gunners were forced to let him go when he was 14 due to concerns over a serious knee injury. However, the north Londoners have kept a close eye on his progress ever since as he battled back to fitness at Watford.

Several other top Premiership clubs have also been tracking the youngster and scouts from both Manchester clubs, Liverpool, Chelsea as well as Arsenal were in attendence to watch Hoban put in an impressive performance as Watford beat Leicester 2-1 on Saturday.

Manager, and former Chelsea striker, Zola was full of praise after the game claiming Hoban was the best player on the pitch:

“Tommie Hoban was the best player on the pitch, no question in my mind.

“His confidence, his touch – he has a calm in possession which is a great quality for a defender.

“You don’t need to tell Tommie something twice either. That’s why he’s improving so much game by game.”

Zola is quoted as saying by the Daily Star

Hoban is an Irish youth international and has been ever-present in the back for the Hornets since breaking into the side in early September. The stylish centre back is tied to a long-term contract so Watford are assured to get a sizable transfer fee if one of the big-guns decide to come calling.

Have you seen Hoban play? Would you like him at your club? Get involved in the comments section.

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