DENNIS : Why I’m called ‘Dennis the menace’

DENNIS : Why I’m called ‘Dennis the menace’

Watford new forward and scorer of their Premiership opener Emmanuel Dennis is excited about coming to Vicarage Road, linking up with his ‘Nigerian brothers’ and partnering with Ismaila Sarr, writes Taiwo Alimi. 

After helping his new club Watford picked their first win of the EPL last week- a 3-2 win over Aston Villa, the commentator was quick to nickname the Nigerian international ‘Dennis the Menace.’ This was a result of his immense contribution to the team as he scored the opening goal and assisted in Ismaila Sarr’s second goal. For as long as he lasted on the pitch before he was subs, he was a constant thorn in the flesh of Villa’s defence moving through the midfield and flanks to connect the two prong attack of Sarr and him.

Told of the new nickname, Dennis simply laughed and said he had a great time in the match and lucky to score Watford opener.

Dennis said he enjoyed linking up with Sarr in game that took them to the third spot in the 2021/2022 Premiership season.

Dennis netted the opener and turned provider for Sarr’s goal, a player he feels he has a good connection with on the pitch.

“We get along well in training when we play together and I know he’s going to be really important for me if I’m going to be in the number nine,” he said.

“I’m really happy with the combination. It’s a process, so I’m really happy we started in a good way and we keep working.”

The Nigeria international scored after just 10 minutes to give the Hornets the lead on an unforgettable afternoon.

“I’ll remember this for all my life,” he said. “I’m speechless; I don’t know what to say,” he added after the match.

Cucho Hernández notched a third for Watford in the second half, and several attacking players threatened throughout. Dennis is excited by the quality of the squad going forward. The team boasts of five Nigerian players among them, William Troost-Ekong and Peter Etebo who all started the game. Others are Isaac Success and Tom Dele-Bashiru.

 

Dennis lived up to pundit’s prediction as he had been tipped to be a “huge success” in the Premier League if he “settles in well” with his new club.

He concluded his transfer to the Hornets from Club Brugge three weeks to link up with his Nigerian gang.

Still of the made-from-heaven combination with Sarr, Dennis added: “I’m really happy with the combination. It’s a process, so I’m really happy we started in a good way and we keep working.”

“We have energy, I’m really happy because we’ve been working hard for a really long time so I’m happy we could give the fans a good performance and they can go home smiling.”

Looking at the way Dennis mesmerizes and glides through defenders, one if reminded of Premiership great Didier Drogba and his exploits under Jose Mourinho at Chelsea.

Interestingly, Dennis said he’s inspired by the former Ivorian national team captain.

“I learnt a lot of trick from him (Drogba). He was fast and deadly. I am fast too. No one can catch me.”

Asked by Watford TV to name his favourite players in the Premier League, Dennis said: “Didier [Drogba] and Wilfried [Zaha] are my favourite Premier League players, I loved watching Drogba play, I love to watch Zaha and I also loved to see Wayne [Rooney], scoring those crazy goals.”

Read Also: Dennis relishes dream debut with Watford

 

On the overall players he looks out for, Dennis said: “Neymar, Cristiano [Ronaldo], and Messi there is a lot of players you can watch and learn from them, I also love Sergio [Ramos].

Ramos, of course brings great memories to him since he scored two goals against Real Madrid in the Champions League. Dennis had the better of Ramos who was left speechless and rambling to stop the younger and faster forward.

“I am a fan of the guy [Ramos], very crazy defender with a lot of experience, strong on everything he does but I know like against this guy, he is old now and I am faster than him, so I will use my speed and also use my experience to beat him.”

His signing for Watford, Dennis revealed was made easy by the good number of his country-mates on their card. Among them Troost-Ekong, he said, is special.

“I am really happy, you can see from my face, I am really happy to be here, there are a lot of my friends who are here so it is really easy for me though to accept and to come because I have a lot of friends who are here.

“I’ve played with [William] Troost-Ekong in the national team so we’re cool together, there’s a connection. Isaac [Success] is my guy. We’re friends, he’s a nice guy, we hang out, and we laugh a lot.

“It’s crazy, it’s like a dream. I’m really happy to be here. Growing up, going to watch the Premier League you have to pay, sit in a crowd of people and watch it. But now, I’m here and going to be playing in it.”

He noted that Nigerian striker Odion Ighalo also helped him come to Watford. “I am a big fan of him [Ighalo], he’s like a big bro to all Nigerians so I watched him play here, he scored a lot of goals and I played against him in the Europa League against Manchester United.