Etienne Capoue hopes to show Tottenham Hotspur they made the wrong choice selling him to Watford and the midfielder says he turned down other Premier League sides in favour of joining the Hornets.

The 27-year-old was signed by the Lilywhites for £9 million from Toulouse in 2013 but went on to make just 36 appearances for Spurs in all competitions.

After two unhappy years at White Hart Lane the French international completed a switch to the Golden Boys on Monday. 

“It was a difficult situation [at Tottenham],” Capoue said. “In two years we changed the coach three times. I wasn’t in the plans of two of those coaches, it felt like a very long time for me [without playing regularly].

“Maybe they felt I am not a good enough player for Tottenham. I hopefully will show them it was the wrong choice.”

Watford paid a club record fee to bring Capoue to Vicarage Road and the midfielder looks set to be joined by former Tottenham teammate Benjamin Stambouli. 

Capoue admits he has spoken to the 24-year-old but did not want to answer whether that was regarding a move to Watford. 

On the pitch, Capoue has started both of the Hornets’ pre-season friendlies. He is happy to be playing regular first-team football again but knows he will have to improve on his displays for Spurs.

“Watford have given me a chance to play in the Premier League. Now I have to improve,” he said.

“The gaffer (Quique Sanchez Flores) and the president (Gino Pozzo) talked to me a lot. They want me to have a big responsibility in the team but they also want me to improve.

“I respect their choice in choosing me and now I have to improve for myself and for the team.”

With Capoue’s exit from Spurs expected this summer it is understandable there was considerable interest in the Frenchman.

However, he says joining the Hornets was a simple choice despite other top flight clubs looking to clinch his signature.

“If I don’t believe Watford are good enough to stay up then I don’t sign here,” he said. “It was an easy decision to join Watford. There was a big interest from the club and that made me want join.

“There was interest from other clubs but their interest wasn’t like Watford’s.”

Capoue added: “When I knew there was interest from Watford I watched a couple of games and they were a team with good offensive and defensive players.

“So I thought they would be a good team for me. I spoke to (Heurelho) Gomes, because I knew him from the days at Tottenham, and he told me a lot of good things about the club. So it was easy to join Watford.”