MX23RW : Monday, March 31 05:32:37| >> :120:21088:21088:

Javi Gracia: 'I want Abdoulaye Doucoure to grow with me'

Gracia: 'I want Doucoure to grow with me'
© Reuters
The Hornets are in the hunt for Europa League football next season and this year's FA Cup.

Javi Gracia insists Abdoulaye Doucoure does not need to leave Watford this summer as he can realise his ambitions at Vicarage Road.

Doucoure is on Paris St Germain's radar, with recent comments in which he outlined his desire to win titles and play in the Champions League likely to have fanned the flames of their interest.

But Gracia, who is preparing for Saturday's trip to Old Trafford to face Manchester United, insists Watford can provide the platform for the French midfielder to flourish.

"When Doucoure said he wanted to grow, I said that I'd like him to grow with me in this team. We can do it together!" Gracia said.

"If we are able to grow step by step, then we have the players to improve day by day. We have a good mentality and a good attitude.

"If we carry on working, not just Doucoure but all the squad, then I think we can grow together.

"I don't like to speak about that (the Champions League) because then after it's a problem.

"We have to decide the best for the team and at the moment we have to win all our games."

Watford, who are in the hunt for a Europa League spot, also face Wolves in a semi-final of the FA Cup on Sunday week.

"I wish we have two games in the FA Cup and eight in the Premier League left to play. In these 10 games we have to show what we are able to do," Gracia said.

"It's the most decisive part of the season, and I am focused only on the next game because we've done it that way for the whole season. We have to continue like that.

"In eight days we are going to play three games and we have to make the right decisions but all the games are important for us. At this moment, the most important thing is United.

"We have to know some players have been with their national teams and with three games in a row in a short time, we need to make decisions in selection.

"We will choose the best XI for this game and are ready to get a good result."

ga('create', 'UA-72310761-1', 'auto', {'name': 'pacontentapi'});
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'referrer', location.origin);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension1', 'By Duncan Bech, Press Association Sport');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension2', 'acd343ad-765f-4b7b-8e42-5ddb16ac0852');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension3', 'paservice:sport,paservice:sport:football,paservice:sport:uk');
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': 'Gracia tells Doucoure they can grow together at Watford'});

ID:354705: cacheID:354705:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:4593:
Written by
P A
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Manchester United's Marcus Rashford celebrates scoring against Leicester City in the Premier League on February 3, 2019.
Read Next:
How Man United could line up against Watford
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool29217169274270
2Arsenal291610353242958
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest29166749351454
4Chelsea29147853371649
5Manchester CityMan City29146955401548
6Newcastle UnitedNewcastle2814594738947
7Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton29121164842647
8Fulham2912984338545
9Aston Villa2912984145-445
10Bournemouth29128948361244
11Brentford29125125045541
12Crystal Palace2810993633339
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd29107123740-337
14Tottenham HotspurSpurs291041555431234
15Everton2971393236-434
16West Ham UnitedWest Ham2997133349-1634
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2975174058-1826
18Ipswich TownIpswich2938182862-3417
19Leicester CityLeicester2945202565-4017
20Southampton2923242170-499


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!