EFL Player to Watch: Giorgi Chakvetadze

A star performer in Georgia's heroic run to the knockout stages of Euro 2024, Giorgi Chakvetadze is back in the Championship intimidating defences for Watford.

The silky playmaker has been heavily influential in the Hornets' assertive start to the campaign and the imposing Georgian will be key to Tom Cleverley's side sustaining a level of performance that will keep the club in promotion contention.

Watford fans adore him, not least for his ability to hoist bums off seats with his mesmerising skill and finesse.

Giorgi Chakvetadze 2024/25 statistics

Metric	Total	Championship Rank
Shot-creating actions	21	1st=
Goal-creating actions	3	2nd=
Successful take-ons	5	10th=
Carries into final third	12	1st
xAG (Expected Assisted Goals)	0.8	12th=
Key passes	11	2nd

*Statistics obtained by FBref.com and correct as of 30/08/2024

Commencing his career at Dinamo Tbilisi, Chakvetadze earned a move to Belgian top-flight club Gent as an 18-year-old and impressed enough to be listed among UEFA’s 50 players to watch for 2019 and the Georgian Player of the Year in 2018.

Injury threatened to curtail his career but the midfielder overcame all hurdles, building himself up with fruitful loan spells at Hamburger SV and Slovan Bratislava.

Joining Watford on a season-long loan deal last summer, Chakvetadze was not an instant hit at the Hornets. Despite being used sparingly by former head coach Valerien Ismael, a second half cameo against Bristol City sparked his Vicarage Road career into life.

In January he opted to sign for Watford on a permanent basis in a deal worth €2.5million and though Ismael was sacked in March following a dismal sequence of results, Chakvetadze's productivity continued under Cleverley's stewardship.

He’s such a silky footballer. His spatial awareness, his intelligence, his technique, he’s a pleasure to coach and to watch."

Watford manager Tom Cleverley on Chakvetadze, August 2024

By the end of the 2023/24 campaign, Chakvetadze ranked second in the Championship for chances created from open play (least 1,500 mins played), averaging 3.89 per match.

His progressive ball-carrying ability provides another dimension to Watford's attack, with the Georgian able to initiate attacking forays by gliding forward and evading countless challenges.

Opposition defences struggle to muster a legal answer to his direct running and pace.

With Moussa Sissoko and Tom Dele-Bashiru behind him laying the groundwork, Chakvetadze is given licence to roam freely, picking up pockets of space in which he can collect possession on the half-turn and generate opportunities. Edo Kayembe has been a primary beneficiary, with the Congolese midfielder making a clinical start to the campaign.

In a world where attacking sequences are structured and lack individuality, Chakvetadze is a refreshing blast from the past.

Giorgi Chakvetadze odds v Sheffield United

(Odds will display when market is available)

Without a clean sheet since their opening day triumph over Preston North End, Sheffield United possess the defensive vulnerabilities of a side that have undergone a radical makeover in the summer transfer window.

The Blades have recruited impressively, but four of the back five that started in their previous outing against Norwich City were not at the club last season. Auston Trusty, who was the sole survivor, has since joined Celtic.

Familiarity is a crucial component in a strong defensive unit and an element Chakvetadze can look to exploit in the final third.

All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.