Joao Pedro did not make the impact that he would have liked on the Premier League this season, but is still seen as a crucial player in helping Watford return to the top-flight.

The Hornets' relegation is bound to see some shuffling of the pack at Vicarage Road, but that will not be the case with Pedro, according to The Athletic.

The 20-year-old has three seasons remaining on his contract, therefore Watford could recoup a significant fee either this summer or next if they were to sell him, but the Brazilian's impact in the Championship in 2020/21 has ensured he remains a valued member of the playing squad heading into 2022/23 under Rob Edwards.

Watford could be set to lose Moussa Sissoko, Ismaila Sarr and Emmanuel Dennis this summer, due to a desire to play above second tier level but also in taking a more sustainable approach to their wage bill.

Should the above trio depart, Pedro would be expected to step up to a more integral attacking role, potentially alongside the likes of Cucho Hernandez and Josh King.

Nine goals and three assists was a promising attacking output from Pedro in 2020/21 and if the Hornets are going to bounce back at the first time of asking, the Brazilian will need to shoulder a sizeable portion of the goalscoring burden.

The Verdict

To have 74 senior appearances for Watford under his belt by the age of 20 is a huge positive, and even though it was a very difficult 2021/22 season for the Hornets, there will be a clear approach to the step down a level as there was in 2020/21.

It will be an important campaign for Pedro, he will not want to play in the second tier for more than one season, and that puts pressure on his performances to ensure that he can attract new suitors going into the summer of 2023, if Watford do not win promotion.

Rob Edwards may have had some influence on this decision, with Pedro a very versatile player who could fit into a range of systems under the new manager.