Watford

Projected starting XI

Heurelho Gomes; Jose Holebas, Matias Britos, Younes Kaboul, Daryl Janmaat; Etienne Capoue, Nathaniel Chalobah; Nordin Amrabat, Will Hughes, Roberto Pereyra; Troy Deeney

How do you feel about the club's summer transfer business?

It's looking very nice so far. Watford has made some very good value signings, and has balanced safe pickups with ambitious young purchases as well.

Tom Cleverley is nothing special, but is a very reliable option in midfield. Will Hughes and Nathaniel Chalobah have seen their careers stall over the last couple of years, but were superstars for England Under-21 recently, and still clearly have very high ceilings. And Brazilian winger Richarlison might not make a huge contribution this season, but at 20 years old and with no experience in Europe, that's fine. This year will be about settling in and learning the Premier League so he can become a star in the future.

What's the highest reasonable goal the team has and what needs to go right to get there?

There's no reason Watford can't finish in the top half, which has been the case for a few years. The last couple of managers haven't got them there despite operating with good squads, which is why ownership replaced them. But hopes are high that Marco Silva — who did good work in Portugal and Greece before nearly rescuing a sinking ship at Hull last season — can be the man to turn things around.

The Hornets will need Hughes and Chalobah to make immediate impacts, and they'll need some improvement from within too. Roberto Pereyra looked like one of the great value signings of last summer before injuries derailed his season, and he might be the team's best player in his second Watford campaign if he stays healthy. Watford also expects improvement from strikers Isaac Success and Jerome Sinclair, who both struggled in their first seasons with the club.

Who's a player on the team that neutrals might not know much about, but should become fans of?

Pereyra, without a doubt. Not only is he excellent technically and creatively, but he's a very sound decision-maker too. It's rare for a team of Watford's reputation and finances to get a player of his quality. If Pereyra can stay healthy, he'll make Watford into a must-watch team.

Who will be the team's MVP this season, and why?

Even when he's not on top form or starting games on the bench, it's Troy Deeney. He went to prison for assault in 2012 and has reportedly been a model teammate and citizen since. Deeney is Watford's captain and leads by example with his incredible work rate and unselfish play. He can go through spells of bad finishing, but with the way he plays, he's always making a positive impact for the team.