With the World Cup break upon us, it seems the perfect time to reflect on the season so far at Watford.

It has been a mixed few months at Vicarage Road without doubt, but, with Slaven Bilic now at the helm, and the club fourth in the division, everything seems in place for an automatic promotion challenge when Championship football gets back underway next month.

Indeed, 2023 will soon be upon us and Watford’s fate will become clearer.

The new year may also bring the opportunity for certain players to enjoy a breakthrough, though, whether it be a young player on the fringes of the squad, or a squad player breaking through to become a regular starter.

With that said, here are two players at Watford who could achieve such a breakthrough in 2023.

Maduka Okoye

This might seem a strange one as number one Daniel Bachmann appears pretty safe in his role at the moment, but Maduke Okoye, Watford’s current number two could enjoy a breakthrough in 2023.

Given the fee the Hornets spent on the Nigerian international, you just feel he will eventually be given a chance in between the sticks, particularly with Bachmann only having one year left on his current deal when next summer arrives.

Okoye has had to be patient so far, but there is a long time between now and the end of 2023, and as such, a lot that can change.

Tom Dele-Bashiru

Having recently returned from injury, another player you can perhaps see having a bigger role come next year is Tom Dele-Bashiru.

The young midfielder has always threatened to make an impact on the first team at this level, but injury has always struck at an unfortunate time.

With the likes of Tom Cleverley and Dan Gosling on expiring contracts, there is definitely an opportunity for Dele-Bashiru to impress and earn himself a bigger squad role heading into 2023.

It will largely depend on fitness, though, which has not been on Dele-Bashiru’s side so far in his short career at Watford.