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Nathaniel Chalobah and Will Hughes provide Watford an injection of exciting English youth

Matt Monaghan

20:45 09/08/2017

MANAGER

Marco Silva

STAR MAN

Troy Deeney

LAST SEASON

17th

TOP SCORER

Deeney (10)

KEY INS

Andre Gray (Burnley, £18.5m) Richarlison (Fluminense, £11.5m) Tom Cleverley (Everton, £8m), Will Hughes (Derby County, £8m), Nathaniel Chalobah (Watford, £6m), Kiko Femenia (Alaves, free)

Will Hughes

KEY OUTS

Mario Suarez (Guizhou Hengfeng Zhicheng, £5.5m), Juanfran (Deportivo La Coruna, free)

REASONS TO BE POSITIVE

Silva impressed greatly at Hull last season, and the club are happy to be rid of Walter Mazzarri. Chalobah and Hughes provide an injection of exciting English youth.

REASONS TO BE PESSIMISTIC

A falling out between midfielder Etienne Capoue – one of their best players last season – and Silva spells trouble for an eternally-changing and potentially unstable squad.

ONE TO WATCH

Chalobah has a burning ambition after escaping Chelsea’s bench. Good performances may see him swap the England Under-21s for the seniors.

Nathaniel Chalobah

EXPECTATION

Silva will continue his fine work from Hull, but this time stave off relegation. Hughes and Chalobah will spark, pushing team into mid-table.

REALITY

Shaky defence will hamper any bid to bolt away from the drop zone. Deeney will again need to carry the responsibility – in goals and influence – of preventing relegation but the club-record signing of Gray should ease the pressure.

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