This Championship Star NEEDS to Be Rescued From His Average Club This Winter

This Championship Star NEEDS to Be Rescued From His Average Club This Winter

There are many teams in the upper echelons of English football that get branded with the tag of a 'yo-yo team'. The term refers to the fact that they are generally too good for the Championship and not good enough for the Premier League. Because of this, they find themselves in a weird situation of bouncing between promotion and then relegation every season or two.

Traditionally one of these teams was Hertfordshire side Watford FC; however, in recent times, and especially this season, they have seemingly lost this status as they can't get back to the Premier League and just sit in the Championship.

This season is looking very much the same for them, as they currently sit in 15th and look painfully average; it all seems very much like 'The Hornets' have lost their sting.

But there is one shining light in this Watford side and it comes in the form of long-standing Moroccan talisman Imran Louza. The issue is for his own good he needs to abandon the sinking ship sooner rather than later, as he's proven himself to be far too good for both Watford and perhaps even the league.

Louza is the best player in the Championship. pic.twitter.com/t4UQhoxhqK

— Joe Pierpoint (@potterscope_) November 7, 2025

Imran Louza - His Season So Far

Louza has mainly played as either an all-action 8 or formed part of a midfield pivot throughout the early stages of 2025/26, and so far this campaign, if you were to look at the contribution numbers he has put up, you'd struggle to believe he doesn't play up front.

The Moroccan international has provided 6 goals and 4 assists for his side in the Championship, while also grabbing an assist in the EFL Cup against Norwich, making a total of 11 contributions in 16 games. It's this kind of form that has helped embed him into the Moroccan national team setup.

😮‍💨 pic.twitter.com/fnGGaUHCvf

— TheRetiredScout212 (@zied_alghattass) December 1, 2025

Even last season, the midfielder was a vital cog in the side's campaign; his contributions then didn't quite match up with this season's – in fact, he has already surpassed them. Last campaign he was able to register 2 goals and 5 assists in 33 games, but we can't just measure a midfielder simply by their contributions.

His average SofaScore rating for the season was a mightily impressive 7.27, highlighting his consistency but he's taken it up a step this year. He's already averaging a frankly insane 7.61; bear in mind that this is over a solid sample size of 15 games so can't be chalked down as just a purple patch.

All I want is Imran Louza to earn a big move next season. He’s producing crazy numbers in the Championship this season:⁣⁣
⁣
•⁣ 👕 15 Games⁣
• ⚽️ 6 Goals⁣⁣
• 🅰️ 4 Assist⁣⁣
• 🎨 36 Chances Created⁣⁣
• 🎯 88% Pass Accuracy⁣⁣
• 🥊 63 Duels Won⁣⁣
• 🔄 87… pic.twitter.com/UJ2lsZy6mi

— 珍宝 (@baoball) December 2, 2025

Watford - A Season of Struggle

As mentioned, Watford have been very, very average so far this season and are falling back into a Championship regular categorisation as opposed to a 'yo-yo' side that frequents the top flight.

To put into perspective how average the side have been, they have an entirely even distribution of losses, draws and wins across their 18 games played so far this season with 6 of each result.

The most frustrating part about this Watford side is we’re actually quite good, and should be pushing for the top 6, but the same brain dead errors every week have us sat 15th

Same old Watford… onto Saturday 🐝 https://t.co/M1UuIQn0fD

— Culture Force (@cultureforce1) December 1, 2025

To add to the averageness, they only have a goal difference of +1, having conceded 23 and scored 24. These aren't bad stats by any means, but they are so painfully 'middle of the pack' and are hardly befitting of a side that used to be Premier League regulars. Furthermore, it's hardly a level of a side befitting Louza, who's showing weekly displays of brilliance.

Funnily enough, there have been occasional brilliant performances from the Hornets so far this season; a big home victory over Hull in September looked set to provide a big boost; however, it was immediately followed by a draw away to Portsmouth. In November a massive 3-0 win over title challengers Middlesbrough made the side look like they had something about them after all, but they immediately lost their momentum, drawing to Ipswich.

The side have not been able to gain any momentum even after huge results and whether that reflects ability or attitudes or mentality or all of the above is up for debate, but what it doesn't leave room for debate for is whether Louza should stay. It's very clear he's outgrown them and needs a winter escape.

Chris Davies and multiple Birmingham reporters are the latest opposition camp to claim Watford are one of the most dangerous teams they’ve faced, the umpteenth time that’s happened this season - yet they’ve only won six of 18 matches. Just about sums it up. #watfordfc

— Adam Drury (@Adam_Drury1) December 1, 2025

Where Does Louza Go Next?

There has been speculation for a while now about Imran Louza's future and the past summer had its fair share, including a seven-figure bid from Lokomotiv Moscow in the final weeks of the summer window.

Louza himself has not been coy about his desire to leave, with the man himself stating after the closing of the summer transfer window:

"We'll see. It's true that I want to experience something different; the club is aware of that. They know what I want.

"But now that the transfer window is closed, I'm focused on my club. What's meant to happen will happen in January or next summer. If I have opportunities that suit me, I'll make the best decision."

Perhaps a return to where his football career began is on the cards, going back to France or maybe he fancies even colder weather and moves to Moscow, assuming Lokomotiv return with a bid. Watford are very much in a position where they can demand a high fee for their talisman, as his contract is set to expire in June, 2028, following an extension signed in September, 2022.

What happens with Louza's next move is uncertain; Watford boss Javi Gracia will be hoping at the very least the Moroccan sticks to his word of staying to help push the side into the play-off picture come the end of the season.

For the man who is arguably the Championship's best player, though, this is looking less and less like the right move for his career and more and more like he needs to leave Watford as soon as possible.