Exclusive: Lee Hendrie urges Watford FC to take clear Tom Cleverley stance this summer | OneFootball

Lee Hendrie has told FLW his verdict on whether Tom Cleverley has earned the chance to be backed by Watford in the transfer market

Lee Hendrie believes that Watford should back Tom Cleverley in the transfer market this summer.

The Hornets have exceeded expectations this season, with many fearful of a relegation battle before the campaign got underway.

Instead, the club have been in the mix for a play-off place right up until the final weeks of the campaign, despite an underwhelming summer of recruitment in 2024.

Cleverley has received praise for his work this season, and will now be hoping to build on his squad over the transfer window in order to better compete for promotion to the Premier League next year.

Watford urged to back Cleverley in the transfer window

Hendrie has urged the Watford owners, the Pozzo family, to back Cleverley in the transfer market this summer.

He’s praised the job done by the manager this year, claiming he’s the man to bring the club forward.

“Yes, I think he should be [backed],” Hendrie exclusively told Football League World.

“He’s done a brilliant job this season.

“Again, the state that sometimes Watford have been in and the chopping and changing of managers, I don’t think it’s been healthy for the football club to take them forward.

“And I think Tom’s done a brilliant job this season.

“Probably hasn’t had the money to go and bring loads of players in, and I feel this summer they need to go and invest.

“I think Tom’s the right person, the right fit for the football club.

“You can see that any time he comes across in his interviews.

“He’s done a really good job there, he’s well thought of and I really feel he should be backed in the summer.”

Watford finished 15th in the table last season, earning 56 points, a total Cleverley’s side reached after 41 fixtures this year.

Cleverley deserves to be backed this summer

Cleverley has ended the cycle of revolving managers at Watford, highlighting just how well he’s done at Vicarage Road this year, his first full year in management.

The 35-year-old has earned the chance to be properly backed in the summer market, especially after the team lost such key players last year like Yaser Asprill and Ismael Kone.

The Hornets have invested in youth with recent moves, and that’s been a solid strategy, but some experience may also be needed in order to bridge the gap to the top teams.

While Watford may have been reluctant to spend on an unproven manager last year, Cleverley has now shown that he can be trusted to lead the team forward.