Watford FC may regret playing hardball after £15m sale: View00

Despite the constant jokes at how often they change managers, the Hornets were enjoying a hugely successful period in their history when they spent five years in the Premier League on the bounce from 2015.

As well as that, they reached the FA Cup final, and they appeared to have built a talented squad on a relatively modest budget.

The likes of Etienne Capoue, Gerard Deulofeu and Abdoulaye Doucoure all featured that day at Wembley, and they were an example of Watford’s success in the market.

It wasn’t just incomings where the club excelled though, as they made a huge profit on Richarlison when he signed for Everton.

However, they haven’t been able to maintain that impressive work in the market, and many will point to poor signings as a key factor about why they were relegated.

Failure to bounce back at the first attempt meant sales were inevitable, with Joao Pedro and Ismaila Sarr the two high-profile exits this summer as they continue to balance the books.

And, Sarr’s move to Marseille for around £15m was yet another reminder of Watford’s recent struggles in the market.

Instead, Sarr remained at Vicarage Road, with the club keeping hold of the wide man for longer than they should have.

On one hand, you can appreciate Watford’s intent to keep hold of Sarr after their relegation. He was a key player, and many expected him to be able to inspire a promotion push.

But, the key figures at the club should be able to take a more sensible, long-term approach, which recognised the need to move Sarr on at his peak value.

You only have to look at Brighton for the clearest example of why selling your best players shouldn’t be the disaster it’s often portrayed to be. They record big sales, reinvest in the squad, and improve overall.

Watford chose to neglect key areas, and presume that their squad, that needed upgrading, would be able to bounce back because of individuals like Sarr and Pedro.

With Sarr, the decision was harder to understand as he had entered the final two years of his contract.

Realistically, he was not going to sign a new deal unless Watford won promotion. Even then, though, there was no guarantee.