"Don't see the sense" - Watford FC hierarchy questioned over €3m Ryan Andrews transfer decision | OneFootball

Watford are set to cash in on the defender during the final stages of the transfer window

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Watford have confirmed the exit of academy graduate Ryan Andrews to Swiss outfit Young Boys, in what has come as a surprise switch.

According to the Watford Observer, the Hornets will receive a €3 million for the young defender, who played 96 times for the club's first-team in his time with the club.

The 21-year-old came through Watford’s academy system, and his transfer to Young Boys will be his first time playing for a different club throughout his entire career.

Andrews’ sale leaves head coach Paulo Pezzolano short in the right-back department, with Jeremy Ngakia the only natural operator they currently have in that position, and with the transfer window slamming shut later today, there isn’t much time for the Hornets to recruit a replacement.

Watford FC handed warning over Ryan Andrews sale

Football League World’s Watford fan pundit, Justin Beattie, believes that the club should be cautious about entering the season with their current full-back options.

“Ryan Andrews leaving to join Young Boys will leave us short in the right-back position,” Justin told FLW.

“If we are only going to have Jeremy Ngakia, then we are leaving ourselves very short, particularly as he is very injury-prone.

“So, I would hope that we've got another player coming in to replace Andrews before we send him off. Otherwise, we will be found short.

“I think though, it's probably time for Andrews to find some experience somewhere else. He's been at Watford since he was around the age of nine, so it's all he's ever known.

“So, it will probably do him good experience-wise to go off and play somewhere else.

"But if it means we're going to have one right-back, I don't see the sense in letting him go personally.”

Watford mustn’t make Ryan Andrews transfer mistake by leaving themselves short

Entering the 2025/26 campaign, it’s clear that Andrews wasn't Pezzolano’s first choice at right-back and at 21 years of age, will have naturally wanted to move somewhere he will start regularly.

However, the Hornets should’ve addressed this situation earlier in the window, which would’ve given them ample time to recruit a replacement.

Now, they face the prospect of waiting until January at least with just one natural operator in that area, unless they can get some fresh blood through the doors at Vicarage Road in the next few days.

If Watford can’t guarantee signing a new full-back, they may have to consider preventing Andrews from exiting. Ngakia’s fitness isn’t reliable, and an injury could create an uncomfortable situation for Pezzolano and co to deal with.