MX23RW : Wednesday, May 8 07:57:15| >> :600:336363:336363:
May 5, 2019 at 2pm UK at ​Stamford Bridge
Chelsea
3-0
Watford
Loftus-Cheek (48'), Luiz (51'), Higuain (75')
FT(HT: 0-0)

Javi Gracia: 'We're playing Chelsea, not just Eden Hazard'

Javi Gracia: 'We're playing Chelsea, not just Hazard'
© Reuters
Hazard scored twice against the Hornets earlier this season.

Watford boss Javi Gracia has warned his side not to focus on only trying to stop Chelsea playmaker Eden Hazard at Stamford Bridge.

Belgium international Hazard scored both goals when Maurizio Sarri's Blues won 2-1 at Vicarage Road on Boxing Day.

The 28-year-old should be fresh to face the Hornets on Sunday having been left out of Sarri's starting line-up for Thursday's Europa League semi-final first leg at Eintracht Frankfurt.

Gracia, though, feels there are plenty of other players who can do his side damage apart from Hazard, who was sent on for the final 29 minutes of the 1-1 draw in Germany.

"I prefer to speak about the whole team. We play against Chelsea – not only Hazard," said Gracia at his pre-match press conference, according to watfordfc.com.

"In the first game he played as a striker and now I think he will play as a number 10.

"We know we have to defend well when he has the ball as he is always able to do something different.

"We always have to have a collective mentality to defend and to attack."

Watford head into the final two games of the Premier League season looking to cement their top-10 finish and still within striking distance of seventh place and possible European qualification.

With the FA Cup final at Wembley against Manchester City to look forward to, Gracia remains determined to keep his squad focused on the job in hand.

"I don't let them (think about the FA Cup)," said Gracia.

"It's my job to keep them concentrated on the next game. It's what we've done all season and it won't be different now.

"We try to play the next two games as best as possible and this is the best way to prepare for the final."

Watford will have captain Troy Deeney available again following a three-match suspension for a red card against Arsenal.

Midfielder Etienne Capoue, though, will miss the trip to west London as he is carrying a groin problem, while defender Miguel Britos is also unavailable after dental surgery on his wisdom tooth.

Whatever the outcome of the closing weeks, it has been a campaign of progression for the Hertfordshire club under the guidance of Gracia.

"The success of this season doesn't depend on playing in Europe or not," added Gracia.

"The players have done very good work this season and they deserve recognition."


Click here for more stories about Javi Gracia

Click here for more stories about Chelsea

Share this article now:
Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri watches on during the Premier League clash with Newcastle on February 2, 2019
Read Next:
How Chelsea could line up against Watford
>

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester CityMan City37312491226995
2Liverpool37297187226594
3Chelsea37218863392471
4Tottenham HotspurSpurs372311365372870
5Arsenal372071070502067
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd37199965521366
7Wolverhampton WanderersWolves37169124744357
8Everton37158145244853
9Leicester CityLeicester37156165148351
10Watford37148155155-450
11West Ham UnitedWest Ham37147164854-649
12Crystal Palace37137174650-446
13Bournemouth37136185365-1245
14Newcastle UnitedNewcastle37119173848-1042
15Burnley37117194465-2140
16Southampton37911174464-2038
17Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton3799193456-2236
RCardiff CityCardiff3794243269-3731
RFulham3775253477-4326
RHuddersfield TownHuddersfield3736282175-5415

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Transfer Talk Daily
Match previews - twice weekly
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Ultra close-up image of Kevin De Bruyne [NOT FOR USE IN ARTICLES]Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel
Login, I already have my ad-free pass
Log in to customise Sports Mole
Buy ad-free access (show me the options)
Buy monthly ad-free access for £1.20/month
Buy yearly ad-free access for £12 (2 months free)
Settings - Logout - Manage your account
Settings - Logout - Manage your account