Overview:
England’s second-division side Watford F.C. is reportedly interested in acquiring Frantzdy Pierrot after his spectacular season with Maccabi Haifa F.C. in Israel.
CAP-HAITIEN — After constant news of Haiti’s men’s national players’ clubs getting relegated, at last, Haitian soccer fans can rejoice at a piece of positive news — and it’s a big one, even though it is still in the rumor stage.
English second division club Watford F.C. is interested in signing a £1.7 million (USD 2 million) deal for the services of Haiti’s Number 9, Frantzdy Pierrot, according to England-based soccer reporter Alan Nixon.
Watford’s interest in Pierrot is a breath of fresh air for Haitian soccer after a relatively dark time for many players on the men’s team at the club level in recent years. More recently, this past season, several players’ clubs were relegated, including rising stars Louicius Don Deedson’s Odense Boldklub and Danley Jean Jacques’s F.C. Metz.
Fans had already been unhappy about players from the men’s team playing in weak leagues but still underperforming. If Pierrot does join England’s second division, Haitians will have a striker to cheer for in a top league after a long wait.
The last Haitian international to join a team from England’s second division was Duckens Nazon, who signed with Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2017. However, Nazon did not play for the club’s senior side but was sent on loan.
Pierre is a top-class striker
Pierrot, a Cap-Haïtien native, made Watford’s radar after having a stellar season with Israeli side Maccabi Haifa F.C. The 29-year-old led Maccabi in scoring during the 2023-2024 season with an impressive 24 goals in 46 appearances. Pierrot’s goal summary notably includes five goals in eight UEFA Champions League games.
Pierrot netted many of his goals by finishing crosses after getting into the right position in the box. Similar to Maccabi, Watford heavily relies on crossing the ball in its 3-4-3 formation system. So, it would be a perfect fit for Pierrot, who is keen to take his expertise to England, according to Nixon. Standing at 6’4” but fast on his feet and good with his head, Pierrot is well-suited to the fast-paced crossing style of play in England.
Watford struggled to find the net last season, which is why they are shopping for a center forward who has a knack for goals. The club only collected 61 goals in 46 games in the league and as a result, ended the season in 15th position. It was a subpar season for a team that was just in the top division in 2021.
Mileta Rajović, a 24-year-old Danish striker, was Watford’s top scorer, amassing just 10 goals. Bayo Youssouf, a 27-year-old Ivorian forward, was the team’s second-top scorer with six goals.
Twenty-year-old Colombian Yáser Esnéider Asprilla Martínez was Watford’s third starting striker last season. Pierrot, who is 29, would bring experience to a relatively young attack. Additionally, since he has more experience than the other forwards, if he carries his goal-scoring prowess to England, his starting position is almost guaranteed.
Pierrot started his professional career with the now-defunct Belgian side Royal Excel Mouscron in 2018. He only scored six goals for the Belgian side. The big forward then joined En Avant Guingamp in France’s second division, tallying 28 goals for them in 76 appearances. Pierrot signed with his current club, Maccabi, in 2022 and made a breakthrough in his career with the Israeli powerhouse, establishing himself as the club’s star striker, racking up 25 goals in 60 outings.
Pierrot also has an impressive scoring record for Haiti, finding the net 21 times in 30 games.
Although Pierrot has made a name for himself for scoring goals, one of his weaknesses is missing easy chances. He was heavily criticized for not scoring in Haiti’s first two World Cup qualifiers in June, even though he had plenty of chances. Pierrot’s possible experience in England’s second division would be valuable for Haiti in its remaining World Cup qualifying games.
If Watford signs Pierrot, he will play under new head coach Tom Cleverley, which could be a disadvantage if Cleverley’s lack of experience prompts him to mismanage the team. Cleverley is coaching a professional team for the first time. He started as an interim coach after his predecessor, Valérien Ismaël, was sacked in March. Cleverley impressed as interim coach, so the club hired him long-term.
Only one player from Les Grenadiers’ squad is playing in a top league in Europe, defender Jean-Kévin Duverne, who is plying his trade in France’s top division with F.C. Nantes. That could change by next season if the perfect match between Pierrot and Watford is written in the stars.
