Extending Niang’s Watford stay high on the agenda for Mazzari

Watford manager Walter Mazzari hopes to keep winger M’Baye Niang at Vicarage Road beyond the end of his loan spell from AC Milan.

The 22-year-old Frenchman has started every game since he arrived at the Hornets in January, finding the net against Burnley and West Brom to help them to the 40-point mark.

(Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

Watford have already agreed to make the loan of midfielder Tom Cleverley permanent during the summer and Niang’s form has led to Mazzari hoping a similar arrangement can be made.

Mazzari said: “Yes, I want him here. If he plays anyway near as well as he has in the last two matches, I’d like him to say.

“There are other things to consider; the club, who listen to my opinion and what AC Milan want to do. There are many factors to consider.”

Meanwhile, Mazzari has played down speculation that relations between him and club captain Troy Deeney have become strained, after he was left out of the recent defeat at Tottenham, following rumours of a move to West Brom.

Mazzari said: “Many times in my career I’ve named the captain on the bench but I always make my decision with the interest of the squad.
“John Terry has been at Chelsea for 20 years and is the captain. He’s been on the bench but that doesn’t mean they don’t respect him or they don’t listen to him.

“My relationship with the player doesn’t change if I pick him or don’t pick him.”