No one is home; Zola breaks phone as he tries to hold on to Vydra (From Watford Observer)
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'Try ringing but you won't find me' - Gianfranco Zola breaks his phone as he tries to hold on to Matej Vydra
6:05pm Wednesday 30th January 2013 in Sport
By Frank Smith, Deputy Group Sports Editor
Picture: Action Images
Gianfranco Zola says he has broken his phone in a bid to make sure Matej Vydra remains at Watford.
Vydra's form since his arrival in the summer has attracted the attention of five Premier League sides and the striker's parent club Udinese have rejected a bid from one of those teams, according to his agent.
The Czech Republic international's representative Ondrej Chovanec denied rumours Roma had expressed an interest in his client but didn't rule out a switch to the Italian club.
Chovanec had last week said it was "very likely" Vydra would be signing permanently for Watford and Zola was confident the move would happen when he was asked at the weekend.
"I have broken my phone so they can try phoning me but they won’t find me that is for sure," Zola joked.
"I have no doubt in my mind [he will stay]. I have had no indication that he is leaving and I think the club want to keep him and the player I believe wants to stay so we should be alright."
The Italian continued: "As far as I understand it, the player wants to stay here as well because we can help him keep improving.
"I don’t think Matej believes he has already got to the top and he knows there are still margins to improve and that is what we are going to be working with him on.
"I think he can give Watford the edge because there will be many teams looking for him."
"Here he can have the attention he needs and maybe next year he will be playing for us in the Premier League," Zola added.
Vydra, who Zola described as "a good boy who works very hard", has scored ten goals in his last five starts.
The 20-year-old is on a season-long loan from Udinese and Watford are confident of securing his services permanently - although the Championship club will not be in a rush to tie him down before the transfer window closes.
The striker has scored 18 goals in 25 league appearances this season, nine of which were from the substitute bench.
On the interest from Roma, Vydra's agent told Gazzetta Giallorossa: "No, honestly I never talked to any of the leaders at Roma. For the moment there are no offers from the Giallorossi."
"Everything is possible. For the moment there is only one offer from a Premier League club but it was rejected by Udinese," Chovanec added.
"The player of course liked the interest of Roma. We like their style of work, their play, we like (Zdenek) Zeman. If the offer is right, never say never."
Click here to see Chovanec's comments from last week and here for Zola's response to those remarks.
Comments(55)
Lady Phillippa Of Staines
says...
6:43pm Wed 30 Jan 13
Eastsussexhornet
says...
6:54pm Wed 30 Jan 13
lutondown
says...
7:05pm Wed 30 Jan 13
Eastsussexhornet wrote:I look forward to listening to you tomorrow at say 701pm
By this time tomorrow, about 7pm, he will be gone. That's the way it goes I'm afraid.
He's going nowhere...just yet
Ronny oh Ronny Ronny
says...
7:16pm Wed 30 Jan 13
What a statement it would be if we could sign one of englands hottest young properties in Redmond from Birmingham too, can't remember the last time we were linked with players of such a calibre
Eastsussexhornet
says...
7:22pm Wed 30 Jan 13
Ronny oh Ronny Ronny wrote:Lovely. Now lie down and get some rest!
I would suggest that around this time tomorrow we will be announcing the signing of a few of them, live on sky sports, with reporters at the vic!
What a statement it would be if we could sign one of englands hottest young properties in Redmond from Birmingham too, can't remember the last time we were linked with players of such a calibre
Taylor23
says...
7:23pm Wed 30 Jan 13
watford1881
says...
7:23pm Wed 30 Jan 13
Eastsussexhornet
says...
7:29pm Wed 30 Jan 13
lutondown wrote:I wish you were right. I certainly don't mind conceding defeat if I am wrong but I am a realist.
Eastsussexhornet wrote:I look forward to listening to you tomorrow at say 701pm
By this time tomorrow, about 7pm, he will be gone. That's the way it goes I'm afraid.
He's going nowhere...just yet
lutondown
says...
7:33pm Wed 30 Jan 13
Eastsussexhornet wrote:No mate your a pessimist! 701 pm it is,
lutondown wrote:I wish you were right. I certainly don't mind conceding defeat if I am wrong but I am a realist.
Eastsussexhornet wrote:I look forward to listening to you tomorrow at say 701pm
By this time tomorrow, about 7pm, he will be gone. That's the way it goes I'm afraid.
He's going nowhere...just yet
Hampshire hornet
says...
7:36pm Wed 30 Jan 13
lutondown
says...
7:39pm Wed 30 Jan 13
Hampshire hornet wrote:One bad result and we are rubbish! Can't hit dead balls, can't play in rain etc mmmm
6.59 pm it will be a done deal. He stays.. Beckham to sign as dead ball coach... Well we need one...
Poppet Bear
says...
7:57pm Wed 30 Jan 13
WessexLad
says...
7:57pm Wed 30 Jan 13
aussihornet
says...
8:06pm Wed 30 Jan 13
Oh well, one day to go.
Mangoputney
says...
8:15pm Wed 30 Jan 13
lutondown wrote:Load of Crocs
Hampshire hornet wrote:One bad result and we are rubbish! Can't hit dead balls, can't play in rain etc mmmm
6.59 pm it will be a done deal. He stays.. Beckham to sign as dead ball coach... Well we need one...
Colin West's mullet
says...
8:29pm Wed 30 Jan 13
Eastsussexhornet wrote:I really hope you're wrong,but it's become apparent that the delay in him signing with us and the transfer window being open is not a coincidence...
By this time tomorrow, about 7pm, he will be gone. That's the way it goes I'm afraid.
watford1881
says...
8:35pm Wed 30 Jan 13
Skully84
says...
8:35pm Wed 30 Jan 13
ChunkeyMonkey
says...
8:39pm Wed 30 Jan 13
mattymashup
says...
8:47pm Wed 30 Jan 13
If he doesn't stay, so be it. I'm sure there will ne others!
Skully84
says...
8:59pm Wed 30 Jan 13
ChunkeyMonkey wrote:Pozzo's want us a Premier League club, I doubt if they would want to hinder that...I expect that our owners didn't expect things to click so easily which can only mean a good thing..oh let's forget about 2013 and think about 2014 instead...Our owners would get a return a year earlier. Being in the Prem with a 17,000 stadium doesn't matter too much..
Wouldn't surprise me if MV does not sign, and does not go, ie the season long loan continues and the status quo remains.
jasonwatford
says...
9:03pm Wed 30 Jan 13
Skully84
says...
9:09pm Wed 30 Jan 13
ChunkeyMonkey
says...
9:16pm Wed 30 Jan 13
jasonwatford wrote:Of course they wouldn't want to take it away. My point is that at this stage there is no real reason to change anything as far as player registrations are concerned. Vydra's value will not really be affected by which club in the family has his registration, it is his performances that determine that, so why move him? Like you I believe Abdi is pivotal to the cause. Vydra's finishing is exceptional though.
Do any of you real football fans thing the pozzo's would get us into this position then take it away ??? if they dont sign so be it..they will still be here until the end of season. Will i cheer vydra goals if he is owned by udinese still ?? yes i will. Abdi is most importnat player for us anyway so as long as he stays we are ok. Lets just calm dowm and what will be will be.....remember we are 4th...chance of going up.....90 million pounds if we go up.....
D.unstable
says...
9:17pm Wed 30 Jan 13
ralear49
says...
9:26pm Wed 30 Jan 13
Poppet Bear wrote:i say "trade him for a new stand". (can we get 200 million?)
Wouldn't it be lovely if, just once, we didn't sell one of our best players and break up our team spirit. Money is the curse............
KeithMercer
says...
10:00pm Wed 30 Jan 13
Eastsussexhornet wrote:Oh look
By this time tomorrow, about 7pm, he will be gone. That's the way it goes I'm afraid.
Huddersfield 1 Crystal Palace 0
And there was me thinking Watford are the only Top team to ever lose to strugglers down the bottom !!
How strange is that ?
Colin West's mullet
says...
10:01pm Wed 30 Jan 13
graham1304
says...
10:03pm Wed 30 Jan 13
ralear49 wrote:The matej vydra stand!
Poppet Bear wrote:i say "trade him for a new stand". (can we get 200 million?)
Wouldn't it be lovely if, just once, we didn't sell one of our best players and break up our team spirit. Money is the curse............
DouglasRinaldi the better Brazilian
says...
10:05pm Wed 30 Jan 13
KeithMercer
says...
10:53pm Wed 30 Jan 13
D.unstable
says...
12:32am Thu 31 Jan 13
Colin West's mullet wrote:You are 5hitting me!!! Do you think if he was leaving the country about to sign a multi million pound contract elsewhere he would fly Easyjet?
several people on Twitter saying he has been spotted at L***n Airport this evening.
Colin West's mullet
says...
6:26am Thu 31 Jan 13
D.unstable wrote:I sincerely hope it's not true, does Easyjet fly to Rome from L***n? I've never used that airport on principle.
Colin West's mullet wrote:You are 5hitting me!!! Do you think if he was leaving the country about to sign a multi million pound contract elsewhere he would fly Easyjet?
several people on Twitter saying he has been spotted at L***n Airport this evening.
Harrydownunder
says...
7:06am Thu 31 Jan 13
D.unstable wrote:We would have been lucky to get Tom Jones !!
Whilst the Pozzo's hold his contract I am not overly concerned if a permanent signing. If they decide to sell it will be at the right price and the conveyer belt continues, he will then be replaced by the next up and coming superstar. This is the way it is and will be, enjoy the ride because seriously the alternative was signing the likes of Tom James and Co.
SirHugo
says...
7:10am Thu 31 Jan 13
Even though its pathetic to read I do find the non stop negativity rather amusing.
After all we are sitting 4th in the league and playing the best football we've ever witnessed at the Vic all served up by real football owners who know what they are doing. Yep I fully understand where some of you are coming from.
Fools ! ! !
dawlishhornet
says...
7:11am Thu 31 Jan 13
He'll still be here this time tomorrow (I hope)
lutondown
says...
7:27am Thu 31 Jan 13
SirHugo wrote:Thank god for sanity. Word for word I agree
Some of you people seem to crave doom and gloom.
Even though its pathetic to read I do find the non stop negativity rather amusing.
After all we are sitting 4th in the league and playing the best football we've ever witnessed at the Vic all served up by real football owners who know what they are doing. Yep I fully understand where some of you are coming from.
Fools ! ! !
tonyevans22
says...
7:59am Thu 31 Jan 13
watford1881 wrote:Vydra is not our player,he has not asked to leave the club,or stated he wants out,!!! he is on LOAN to us,It is up to the owners of Udinese if they want to accept a bid for him,then it is down to the player.We are lucky to have him and other loan players here in the 1st place and there is nothing we can do to keep them if the pozzo's want to sell him.But I am sure they will see him as more valuable to sell if he was already in the prem and going to a bigger club.
Touch & go on signing Vydra. If he was to leave life would go on. One player is not bigger than Watford.. If Vydra wants away get rid.. We need players with heart for our club... Anyone wants away get out...
lutondown
says...
8:01am Thu 31 Jan 13
tonyevans22 wrote:Think that sums it in a nutshell.
watford1881 wrote:Vydra is not our player,he has not asked to leave the club,or stated he wants out,!!! he is on LOAN to us,It is up to the owners of Udinese if they want to accept a bid for him,then it is down to the player.We are lucky to have him and other loan players here in the 1st place and there is nothing we can do to keep them if the pozzo's want to sell him.But I am sure they will see him as more valuable to sell if he was already in the prem and going to a bigger club.
Touch & go on signing Vydra. If he was to leave life would go on. One player is not bigger than Watford.. If Vydra wants away get rid.. We need players with heart for our club... Anyone wants away get out...
bigthunder
says...
8:37am Thu 31 Jan 13
KeithMercer wrote:Yes but we were not ! that was the issue
And Palarse were full strength !!
oh dear Keith !! just makes the loss even more costly with Palace losing so your point is ?
bigthunder
says...
8:39am Thu 31 Jan 13
mattymashup wrote:the difference between us and Granada to the Pozzo's is we have potential to make the premiership where the real money is ! Granada do not , keep calm everyone believe it is going to be a good day
I remember when we first got the pozzos Granada fans said its nice getting the players...but then they go again. I don't hold out much hope of us signing any of the loanees till the end of the season, I think this is part of the reason we are bidding for young English players, to help us have a new English core for the next 5 years or so. If he doesn't stay, so be it. I'm sure there will ne others!
SirHugo
says...
8:41am Thu 31 Jan 13
bigthunder wrote:Boring.
KeithMercer wrote: And Palarse were full strength !!Yes but we were not ! that was the issue oh dear Keith !! just makes the loss even more costly with Palace losing so your point is ?
Build a bridge and get over it.
Roll on Saturday.
lutondown
says...
8:44am Thu 31 Jan 13
bigthunder wrote:I think we've done this to death, but coming away from the game Tuesday we were gutted, and everyone we spoke to beforehand on seeing selection predicted the defeat. On reflection, our results on road that have been subject to rotation, we've done fine, other than Derby where Taylor upset the team selection. Last week we were fretting about the Zola Chelsea link, because we had three excellent wins on bounce, so think we now have to get a grip, hope GFZ learns that six changes is OTT and we get back to what we should be doing, and that's supporting whatever team is put out.
KeithMercer wrote:Yes but we were not ! that was the issue
And Palarse were full strength !!
oh dear Keith !! just makes the loss even more costly with Palace losing so your point is ?
bigthunder
says...
8:53am Thu 31 Jan 13
SirHugo wrote:fair comment , moving on now !
bigthunder wrote:Boring. Build a bridge and get over it. Roll on Saturday.KeithMercer wrote: And Palarse were full strength !!Yes but we were not ! that was the issue oh dear Keith !! just makes the loss even more costly with Palace losing so your point is ?
northofwatfordpete
says...
8:59am Thu 31 Jan 13
miked2006
says...
10:49am Thu 31 Jan 13
Bringe
says...
12:25pm Thu 31 Jan 13
miked2006 wrote:Shh... stop spelling out the obvious, his agent might read this :)
The real problem isn't the fact that he needs to sign for us, obviously the Pozzo's own the players and just send them to whichever club they want. The main issue is actually that his contract runs out in 2014. Therefore the Pozzo's either should sell him for greater market value now if he is refusing to sign a new deal, or do what we all want and sign him on to a nice 5 year deal. And it's clear that he should sign a contract here rather than signing on at Udinese. Vydra currently holds all the cards, why would he not wait until the end of the year and see if we get in the Premiership (and with it a bumper Premier League deal). He is far too good for another year in the Championship...
Chris the Vic
says...
12:44pm Thu 31 Jan 13
lutondown
says...
2:26pm Thu 31 Jan 13
Chris the Vic wrote:How do you know he has no regret, what do you want him to say? Oh sorry Chris the library, the six players I brought in were not good enough to beat Bristol Poohy so I'm going to humiliate them publicly. Of course not, he's not a tool, he'll know he's messed up but he's got morale to consider here.
The money we can make the Pozzos is massive and overshadows any fee for Vydra...which makes GFZ's lack of regret remarkable but fingers crossed WFC make no announcements.
I can see some are actually enjoying kick our in the main brilliant young coach.
Tools
KeithMercer
says...
2:40pm Thu 31 Jan 13
They are just saying on Talksport that we did have a sell on for Danny G , and that we can be expecting about £200,00.But I guess Baz might of already spent that on his holiday in Bangcock !! :-)
lutondown
says...
2:43pm Thu 31 Jan 13
KeithMercer wrote:Well he should stay at the Bangkok Hilton as advertised in Midnight Express!
Not getting involved LD but you know I sing from the same song sheet .
They are just saying on Talksport that we did have a sell on for Danny G , and that we can be expecting about £200,00.But I guess Baz might of already spent that on his holiday in Bangcock !! :-)
KeithMercer
says...
2:51pm Thu 31 Jan 13
neil-bs
says...
11:40pm Thu 31 Jan 13
lutondown wrote:Like you did last season? My....
bigthunder wrote:I think we've done this to death, but coming away from the game Tuesday we were gutted, and everyone we spoke to beforehand on seeing selection predicted the defeat. On reflection, our results on road that have been subject to rotation, we've done fine, other than Derby where Taylor upset the team selection. Last week we were fretting about the Zola Chelsea link, because we had three excellent wins on bounce, so think we now have to get a grip, hope GFZ learns that six changes is OTT and we get back to what we should be doing, and that's supporting whatever team is put out.
KeithMercer wrote:Yes but we were not ! that was the issue
And Palarse were full strength !!
oh dear Keith !! just makes the loss even more costly with Palace losing so your point is ?
lutondown
says...
7:01am Fri 1 Feb 13
neil-bs wrote:That's exactly what I did, regardless of the tool appointed to chair it and initial reservations on the coach. Yes I supported the team.
lutondown wrote:Like you did last season? My....
bigthunder wrote:I think we've done this to death, but coming away from the game Tuesday we were gutted, and everyone we spoke to beforehand on seeing selection predicted the defeat. On reflection, our results on road that have been subject to rotation, we've done fine, other than Derby where Taylor upset the team selection. Last week we were fretting about the Zola Chelsea link, because we had three excellent wins on bounce, so think we now have to get a grip, hope GFZ learns that six changes is OTT and we get back to what we should be doing, and that's supporting whatever team is put out.
KeithMercer wrote:Yes but we were not ! that was the issue
And Palarse were full strength !!
oh dear Keith !! just makes the loss even more costly with Palace losing so your point is ?
WanderingDynamo says...
6:22pm Wed 30 Jan 13
Now you've publicly admitted breaking it I hope you don't try to claim for a new one saying it was an accident either ;)
Keep up the excellent work GZ - COYH's!