Mfuni proving to be a loan diamond
They say never fall in love with a loan signing, but for Watford fans that is proving difficult in the case of Stephen Mfuni.
The Manchester City defender has just turned 18, he has a big, beaming smile and he’s brilliant at football.
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He arrived at Vicarage Road at the end of January when then head coach Javi Gracia was hoping for an experienced centre-back. He got a teenager instead, and that made us wonder what a kid with no league experience could do to improve the team.
Mfuni’s impact was instantaneous. In his first game he oozed class, and it wasn’t just his technical ability, which we expected due to his City background, that impressed.
It was his drive, determination and willingness to defend like an experienced EFL player.
We then wondered if there would be a drop in form… there was none. He was hardly wrong.
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He is a central defender and left-footed, which makes him an even greater asset.
Mfuni is 6ft 2in, sleek and silky, excellent with the ball at his feet, and a natural at getting the ball out of defense. He slots in perfectly at left-back when needed, and he’s close to scoring from set pieces.
He has timing, balance and reads the game well, but he is also tough. He wins duels and battles.
Watching him make things look so easy against seasoned championship campaigners makes you feel like a proud parent. I spoke to him recently, and what’s also satisfying is that he’s humble too.
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Head coach Ed Still says he has no ceiling he’s that talented. Some Hornets fans think he is the best loan signing they have ever had.
For someone so young to make such an impression means his potential is huge.
If he continues on this trajectory, Manchester City have a diamond young player who could have a top-flight future with them for years to come. Watford love to see him shine.
He certainly won’t be at Vicarage Road next season as he has already proven he is more than capable at Championship level. The Premier League will value him instead, with City or another Premier League team expected to jump at the chance to loan him out.
