MX23RW : Sunday, July 7 08:15:37| >> :600:130468:130468:
[monks data]
Attendance: 40,650
Chelsea logo
Premier League | Gameweek 37
May 5, 2019 at 2pm UK
 
Watford logo

3-0

Loftus-Cheek (48'), Luiz (51'), Higuain (75')
FT(HT: 0-0)

Javi Gracia: 'Watford can compete without Etienne Capoue'

Javi Gracia: 'Watford can compete without Etienne Capoue'
© Reuters
The Frenchman has picked up a groin problem.

Watford boss Javi Gracia is confident his squad have enough strength in depth to cope without influential midfielder Etienne Capoue when they head to Chelsea on Sunday.

The Frenchman picked up a groin problem in the defeat to Wolves last weekend, which has forced him to sit out a couple of training sessions, but Gracia is confident he will not face a lengthy lay-off as the FA Cup final approaches.

Watford will be boosted at Stamford Bridge by the return of captain Troy Deeney following a three-match ban, but defender Miguel Britos is unavailable after having his wisdom tooth extracted.

Gracia feels whatever side he sends out against Chelsea will be capable of producing the required performance.

"I think it's a little problem that doesn't allow him (Capoue) to play this weekend, but for the next game I think it's possible," the Watford manager said.

"In the last games we had Troy suspended and now we have this problem with Capoue. We have a good squad that is able to compete."

Tom Cleverley or Nathaniel Chalobah could be handed a chance to impress against the Blues, who were in Europa League semi-final action away to Eintracht Frankfurt on Thursday.

"We have players for the next game who are ready," Gracia said at a press conference reported by Watford club media.

"We have Chalobah, we have Tom Cleverley playing in this position. We have other options to play there. It is not a problem.

"All of them are ready and though they need the more games to achieve their best for the team, I think they are ready. We need to find the best balance."

Midfielder Will Hughes has continued his progress under Gracia, and the Watford manager is confident the 24-year-old has plenty more to offer.

"Will is playing really well and has showed his qualities all season, constantly," Gracia said.

"I think he made an important step forward in his career. I am sure he has a very good present, but a better future."

ga('create', 'UA-72310761-1', 'auto', {'name': 'pacontentapi'});
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'referrer', location.origin);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension1', 'By Press Association Sport staff');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension2', '25e13b68-95c4-497c-ac20-c48f4e350e1c');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension3', 'paservice:sport,paservice:sport:club-news,paservice:sport:football');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension6', 'story');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension7', 'composite');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension8', null);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension9', 'sport:football');
ga('pacontentapi.send', 'pageview', { 'location': location.href, 'page': (location.pathname + location.search + location.hash), 'title': 'Javi Gracia backs Watford to cope without Etienne Capoue against Chelsea'});

ID:358146: cacheID:358146:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:4799:No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Kevin Friend pictured on April 7, 2019
Read Next:
Kevin Friend to referee FA Cup final
>
rhs 2.0
Euro 2024 fixtures header
Tuesday, July 9
 
8pm
Semi-Finals
Spain
vs.
France
Wednesday, July 10
Sunday, July 14
Tables header RHS

Group A

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Germany Germany32107
Q Switzerland Switzerland31205
3 Hungary Hungary31023
4 Scotland flag Scotland30121

Group B

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Spain Spain33009
Q Italy Italy31114
3 Croatia Croatia30212
4 Albania national flag Albania30121

Group C

TeamPWDLPTS
Q England flag England31205
Q Denmark Denmark30303
Q Slovenia Slovenia30303
4 Serbia Serbia30212

Group D

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Austria Austria32016
Q France France31205
Q Netherlands Netherlands31114
4 Poland Poland30121

Group E

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Romania Romania31114
Q Belgium Belgium31114
Q Slovakia Slovakia31114
4 Ukraine Ukraine31114

Group F

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Portugal Portugal32016
Q Turkey Turkey32016
Q Georgia Georgia31114
4 Czech Republic Czech Republic30121


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!