“I can make a difference” – Watford player points to key goals and growing importance

Watford are heading towards the end of a quiet Championship season, yet Vivaldo Semedo is trying to make sure his first year in England still counts.

The 21-year-old forward joined the Hornets last summer and has had to adapt quickly. Watford sit in mid-table, with no promotion push or relegation fight left, but Semedo has still found space to show why the club invested in him.

He signed from Udinese in July 2025 and has a contract until 2030. In 27 games played in 2025/26, he scored four goals and provided two assists.

Learning year at Watford

Speaking to Portuguese outlet zerozero, Vivaldo Semedo admitted there is “a slightly bitter taste” because every player wants more minutes.

“First of all I thank God for being about to complete another season. There is a slight bitter taste because all players want to be on the pitch for every minute. However, I take great learning from this season.”

“The league is different, the rhythm is different, we have two or three games per week and the calendar is tight. In terms of numbers – goals and assists – and even in terms of the national team it was a positive season.

“I grew a lot as a person, after all I am living alone in a different country. In a summary, I can say it was a season of growth.”

Semedo is still young, and this has been his first full year in English football. He had already played in Portugal, Italy and the Netherlands, but he says England felt very different.

“When I arrived, in pre-season, I felt difficulties in the friendlies. However, like everything in life, by experiencing, playing and spending more time on the pitch it becomes easy. I believe I am now more prepared for any challenge that appears.”

The structure of the league also stood out immediately.

“It scares you a bit, but on the other hand it gives you more chances to score goals and assists. So I make a positive balance of this change.”

That reflects the scale of the Championship, with 24 teams and 46 matches across a demanding calendar.

Watford environment and dressing room

Vivaldo Semedo also gave insight into what he found at Watford FC, describing a club built around development and strong infrastructure.

“We have a young team and a club that has that vision of investing in young players. The growth process is something that is valued.”

“There is also this particular detail that Elton John used to be the owner of the club and the conditions I found here are what you expect from a Championship and Premier League club.”

“We have top conditions in everything: staff, canteen, pitches are fantastic. Everything is very professional and the players feel good here.”

That environment has helped his adaptation, not only on the pitch but off it as well.

The forward also spoke about his relationship with Edoardo Bove, who arrived in January after a difficult period.

“I already knew Edoardo before that situation. The fact that I speak Italian helped the communication between us and the truth is he is a kind person and a fighter on the pitch.”

“He helps his teammates and is a leader, even being young. He was welcomed by everyone here at the club, also because he speaks the language well. I love Edoardo.”

Moments like that underline how Semedo is settling into the dressing room, building connections beyond football.

A role from the bench

Vivaldo Semedo has mostly been used as a substitute, but he has tried to turn that into value.

“It is true, I have been used almost always from the bench, but that is football. I work every day to be able to play every minute of the season, but I look at this as an opportunity to grow.”

“We are in the Championship, the best second division in the world and maybe better than many first divisions. To enter the pitch, score, assist, be with my teammates and enjoy myself is very important. After all, I play football for love.”

His impact has still been felt. The interview highlights that his four goals directly earned points for Watford, something he believes has strengthened his standing.

“Yes, after all the goals I scored were in important moments and gave points to the club. I think the fans and my teammates know that when I enter the pitch I can make a difference.”

“When you give points and have a different way of playing, you always end up being valued.”

Background and personal growth

Before arriving in England, Vivaldo Semedo completed his development at Sporting CP, one of Portugal’s most recognised academies. That grounding has shaped his approach, but he also highlighted how his journey across countries has changed him.

“Yes, clearly. I learned to be alone, to do things by myself and to see life the way it has to be seen. Looking back, it feels like everything makes sense.”

“Even if things do not go as I originally thought, I can look back and think ‘it happened like that because it had to be like that’. I do not regret anything, I am very happy with the choices I made. I want to move forward and let things flow.”

That level of reflection is not always common at 21, but it fits with a player building his career step by step.

Portugal dream still alive

Vivaldo Semedo was born in Angola and moved to Portugal at 11. He has already been approached about representing Angola, but his focus remains elsewhere.

“Yes, the contact with the Angolan national team has been happening for a long time. However, for now I feel I can play for the Portugal senior national team in the near future and I will continue to work for that to happen.”

A senior call-up is a clear ambition.

“Of course it is a goal. I will continue to work and fight to earn my space and do much more. Eventually I will be called to the senior national team.”

However, his long-term targets are equally straightforward.

“I want to settle in a good team, with an interesting project. I want to give my best and score many goals and assists so that, eventually, the first call to the senior national team arrives.”

Semedo is tied down long term with Watford, has already produced decisive moments, and now believes the Championship has sharpened him.

The next step is turning those flashes into regular starts. If that happens, Watford may not just have a developing striker, but a player moving steadily towards a much bigger stage.