Following a season of two halves for Ben Wilmot, it’s decision time for both club and player on the 21-year-old’s future. Troy Deeney has said he sees the adaptable central-defender-cum-holding midfielder as future captain material but the way this season has played out it would be understandable if Wilmot has doubts about following that path at Vicarage Road.
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Watford haven’t extended his contract beyond the year he has left, but they do still have it within their power — via an option in the deal — to prolong Wilmot’s stay until 2023. Having, for now, decided against committing longer-term it appears the club are edging towards a crossroads and it’s understood may be open to another loan or a sale. The Athletic understands it is now a real possibility Wilmot will leave permanently this summer.
Wilmot was first choice in Vladimir Ivic’s back three that started the season and played 25 times, scoring one goal in the 1-1 draw at QPR (his first for the club). He then fell down the pecking order after Xisco Munoz’s appointment in December after featuring in the Spaniard’s first two games in charge (a 1-0 win over Norwich followed by a 2-1 defeat at Swansea). Since then he’s only played 86 minutes in nine substitute appearances as Francisco Sierralta and William Troost-Ekong became the first choice in a back four with Craig Cathcart and Christian Kabasele used predominantly as back-up.
Watford only conceded 30 goals all season, the best tally in the club’s history and the defensive foundation that Munoz’s surge to promotion was built on has been hard to dislodge. The last 90 minutes that Wilmot played was in England Under-21s’ 2-1 win against Croatia (on March 31) during the European Championships. Known to be a popular and well-respected pro, he’s had to accept being a peripheral figure. Playing more football is clearly what he’d rather be doing.
It’s known that a host of clubs would be keen to sign Wilmot now he appears to be available. Swansea, for example, still regard Wilmot extremely highly after he spent last season on loan with them, (he also went to Udinese in 2018-19) scoring a famous winner against Cardiff. Andy Scott negotiated Wilmot’s £1 million transfer from Stevenage in 2018 whilst sporting director at Vicarage Road, he now holds that role at the Liberty Stadium and is likely to jump at the chance of a reunion.
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Watford’s players are on holiday until the end of June and it’s understood the club want to assess Wilmot in pre-season before making any definitive decision. With two years (subject to the option in his deal being exercised) left on his contract they don’t need to rush, but starting at a new club at the start of preparations for the new season would clearly suit the player more. Potential future profit will come into the thinking as well. They could decide on a loan, perhaps to the Championship, which has the potential to increase his valuation. In a year’s time they could then reassess.
But if they decide they want to further strengthen the back-line — moving Wilmot further away from selection — and don’t see him as a long term option as a holding midfielder, they could choose to leverage the value of a young English prospect rather than waiting, whilst also stipulating a sell-on clause.
Wilmot’s role on the periphery of the Watford team during the run-in hasn’t gone unnoticed by fans. “Free Wilmot” was one of the hashtags used by those who messaged him on social media after he wasn’t named in a much-changed starting line-up for the final game of the season against Swansea. Many were encouraged by his early-season performances and would expect the club to want to nail him down to a longer-term contract to ensure he can one day become first choice again.
Over the coming weeks, it’s likely that enquiries from interested parties and the club’s ability to shape the squad in the way they wish will dictate the next phase of Wilmot’s path. There is still the chance for him to prove he can forge a career at the club, he certainly has the support of fans and team-mates and can once again call himself a Premier League player. Watford could lose a gem if they let him go and it’s not beyond the realm of possibility that they want to take a longer-term view on his future. But with the situation appearing to be reaching a tipping point, celebrating promotion to the top division may be Wilmot’s last act at Vicarage Road.
(Photo: Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)