Gianfranco Zola: 'George Thorne can fill the void left by Nathaniel Chalobah'

By Steven Toplis, Reporter | 08 November 2013

Watford head coach Gianfranco Zola says that George Thorne is capable of playing the same role in the team as Nathaniel Chalobah did last season.

Watford head coach Gianfranco Zola has claimed that new signing George Thorne can fill the role that midfielder Nathaniel Chalobah played for the club.

Chalobah, who is currently on loan at Nottingham Forest from Chelsea, played 38 games for the Hornets during a loan spell last season, helping the club to reach the Championship playoff final.

Zola believes that Thorne, who finalised a loan switch to Watford from West Bromwich Albion this week, will be a good replacement for Chalobah.

"I am pleased with the signing. He is a player we have looked at for a while and he will make a big difference for us," Zola told the Watford Observer.

"We know his qualities and we are sure his qualities can help us. Now let's see how he does.

"We always said that Nathaniel left a big hole. Iriney [Santos] did a good job in certain types of games and Josh [McEachran] made a good impression in another types of games. We think that George can play that position in any type of game."

Thorne will remain at Vicarage Road until January.