Change of recruitment policy at Watford

Alessio Dionisi was appointed Watford head coach in June [Getty Images] It has been a summer of change at Watford, and not just in the coaching department. Head coach Ed Still was the first to go almost immediately last season had ended - Alessio Dionisi replaced him and brought in new coaching staff. That has led to departures and the decision to scrap the under-21 team, which affects the Hornets academy category status, and has also seen coaches Charlie Daniels and Alberto Garrido leave the club. But interestingly, there have also been changes from a recruitment perspective. Luke Dowling has returned as sporting director, having left Watford eight years ago. He has worked at different clubs since but is back at their London Colney training ground, tasked with identifying talent in the Football League rather than abroad. The search for young overseas stars will continue but the club have realised that more EFL experience is required. This is a real shift in recruitment policy and one Watford have been crying out for. Signings have yet to be made and with loan players returning to their parent clubs, the Hornets are short on numbers, particularly in defence and midfield. The team could look very different for that first game in August. Attacker Giorgi Chakvetadze has already signed for sister club Udinese which will help balance the books. Last season did not quite work out for the Georgian talent. Injuries hampered him and when he did play he could not find the rhythm he needed to really impact games. But he is still a top player and should have a big career. There also continues to be speculation on the future of a number of their other talented players including Nestory Irankunda, Imran Louza and Othmane Maamma, although the sale of Chakvetadze means only one more may need to leave. Watford still have Kwadwo Baah and Rocco Vata in their ranks. Like Chakvetadze they struggled last season because of injury and form. Watford are really going to need these two livewires to fire next season. With Dowling in, Valon Behrami has left. He was working closely with technical director Gianluca Nani last season. Nani remains but it will be interesting to see how the recruitment pans out this summer and just how much of a say Dowling has.