Exclusive: Adlène Guedioura is happy to be part of Watford's 'foreign odyssey'

Watford summer signing Adlène Guedioura is happy to be part of the club's foreign odyssey

THESE are troubled times in a world seemingly gripped by terror and racial conflict - except in Watford, that is.

 

The Premier League newcomers handed in a remarkable squad list last week that sent out a message of togetherness from a Vicarage Road 'home' that could just as easily double as an alternative United Nations HQ.

Of the 24 players named 18 come from as far afield as Brazil, Colombia. Ecuador, Algeria, Cameroon and Lithuania. Only three are English . . . all working for an Italian owner and a Spanish manager.

 

They are key players in a remarkable League Of Nations. And what's more, they - unlike large parts of the non footballing world - all appear to get on like a house on fire.

While refugees flee strife torn places like Libya and Syria Watford's foreign legion are living proof that football still has the power to solve a hell of a lot of problems.

French midfielder Adlene Guedioura returned to the club he spent part of last season on loan with on deadline day after successfully pleading with Crystal Palace to let him go back to the place he feels so at home at.

It was, he said, "a logical choice" to join the 17 other 'foreigners' now leading Watford's fairytale campaign to establish Sir Elton John's former club as a Premier League force.

 

Watford's Spanish manager Quique Sanchez Flores

Nothing against Palace, you understand, just a chance to continue 'a good adventure' that cocks a snook at the rest of our troubled world.

Having been in this country for a while now with Wolves and Palace, Guedioura doesn't have the need anymore for the list of familiar words that help them communicate with each other on the pitch. Words like 'man on', 'far post', 'behind you', to name but six.

He reckons it will take the others just a few weeks to get the message and, hopefully, success will be another word they will learn off by heart.

Guedioura says: "The football makes things easier. It is the only thing in the world that can bring everyone together from whatever country they come from.

 

"This is a good message for everyone right now: you can be together. We are lucky because it brings us all together in the same place even though we don't all speak the same language.

"When you see so many nationalities playing at the same level it sends a message that this really is something special. It is also an example for all the other leagues that you can beat racial issues. England is a good example that we can all get on together.

"Everyone gets on. It is something special that they all come from different parts of the world and are getting to know new cultures."

There is, however, a downside to all this. How do young English players, already acknowledged as being overpriced in a cash rich market, break through when foreigners come cheaper.

Monsieur Guedioura believes he has the answer.

 

"The percentage of English players in the Premier League is 33 or 35 per cent, I think, and it would be nice to have more. But something has to change," he claimed.

"When you compare U21 players here with those in France, Spain or Italy reserves there don't play in a league against other reserve teams. They play against older players from first teams and that makes them better.

"Here now they are always playing against U21 players and it is a huge gap for them to go into the PL. If they played against older players who are more experienced they would be ready for the battle. At the moment they are not."

If that is not addressed the problems will only get worse, he warned. In the meantime, though, Guedioura, is just happy to be part of Watford's foreign odyssey.

"This club is building something special and I want to help it grow," he added.