Chelsea will hope to recover from back-to-back Premier League defeats when they host Watford at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
The Blues’ form has dipped in recent weeks, and have dropped out of the top four as a result. Antonio Conte’s side were beaten by Manchester City before the international break and were then beaten by the Premier League’s bottom side Crystal Palace last weekend.
Despite leading 2-0 to Italian side AS Roma in midweek, the Blues had to settle for a point in the Champions League. A late Eden Hazard header rescued a point for Chelsea after Roma turned the tie around to lead 3-2 at Stamford Bridge.
Saturday’s opponents have been in fine form this season and currently sit one place higher than Chelsea in the league. Under new manager Marco Silva, the Hornets currently occupy the final Champions League spot.
Last weekend, Watford were 2-1 winners over Arsenal at Vicarage Road. After going 1-0 down to a Per Mertesacker header, the Hornets replied in emphatic fashion. A Troy Deeney penalty put Watford level before a late Tom Cleverley winner saw all three points go to the home side.
Ahead of Saturday’s fixture at Stamford Bridge, we take a look at four Watford players that will test Chelsea across the pitch.
Richarlison
Reported summer target Richarlison will be one Watford player that the Chelsea defence will need to keep an eye on.
Since making his move from Fluminense in the summer, Richarlison has been very impressive at Vicarage Road. The 20-year-old has already scored three times in the league this season and has been touted for a bright future in the game.
The Brazilian played a key part in Watford’s win over Arsenal at the weekend, winning the penalty that led to Deeney’s equaliser. He has the skills and the talent and will look to attack the Chelsea defence.
Tom Cleverley
Last weekend’s match-winner Tom Cleverley is another player that could change the game for Watford.
Cleverley has made 364 passes so far this season, averaging 45.5 a game. Only Abdoulaye Doucoure has made more than him this season for Watford this season, so the Chelsea midfield will need to close the player down before he can move the ball forward.
The appointment of Silva has seen Cleverley flourish, and become a key player for the Hornets so far this season. The midfielder’s form has led to talk of an international return.
Heurelho Gomes
Watford shot-stopper Heurelho Gomes will be a hard man to beat on Saturday lunch-time.
The goalkeeper has appeared in all eight Premier League fixtures for Watford so far this season, keeping three clean sheets in the process. Interestingly, Gomes has only made one catch this season, rather opting to punch the ball, which he has done 13 times.
During Saturday’s win over Arsenal, Gomes made a huge save to thwart Mesut Ozil when the game was still 1-0. Without the save from Gomes, the result might’ve been beyond the Hornets.
Troy Deeney
Watford captain Troy Deeney will be another attacking player that will cause problems for the Chelsea defence.
Deeney scored his first Premier League goal of the season last weekend, smashing in from the penalty spot to score Watford’s equaliser against Arsenal, before playing a key part in Cleverley’s winner.
The player knows how to find the back of the net, and scored 10 league goals this season. After getting off the mark last weekend, the 29-year-old will want to add to his tally.
