Almen Abdi was nicknamed ‘The Professor’ by former Watford boss Gianfranco Zola for his intelligent midfield play but the Swiss maestro could now also be dubbed ‘The Translator’.

Given the multi-national nature of the Hornets squad, the 28-year-old was asked about potential language difficulties within the camp when he spoke to the media yesterday ahead of tomorrow’s Premier League date with Crystal Palace.

“I’m the translator,” Abdi explained with good humour. “I speak four languages. German, which is my first one, English, Serbian – because my parents are from there – and Italian.

“They’re all great players and great characters and there’s not a problem at all [with the language]. It doesn’t matter where you come from, the main thing is to think as a team, as a unit and that’s what we’re trying to do.”

Abdi continued: “(Juan Carlos) Paredes and (Victor) Ibarbo don’t speak English very well yet but our coach is Spanish so they can speak well together.”

While some players in the Hornets squad may not speak English as well as others, Abdi insisted it does not have an impact on team bonding.

“Everyone is involved every day,” he said. “We try to have fun, we joke together. With Paredes, even if he doesn’t understand we try to speak to him [and share a joke]. It gives him a good feeling.

“Also when we eat together at lunch, we try to be all togther. We don’t have groups and you can see we want to build a team. I think the spirit of the team is very good.”

Given Abdi's creative qualities, it was no surprise some national journalists were keen to get his view on Palace's playmaker Yohan Cabaye.

The Hornets man acknowledged the Frenchman's talent but was also quick to point to the other threats tomorrow's visitors to Vicarage Road possess.

Abdi said: “He’s a great player. He’s played for Paris St-Germain and Newcastle before. But it’s not only him. They’ve got some pace down the sides and they’ve got a great team.

"But I think we showed it in the last game and also against Swansea. Before Swansea, everyone was speaking about them and what a great team they have. They have a great team but I think we deserved to win that game and I don’t see why we shouldn’t win on Sunday."

While Alan Pardew's side are the immediate priority, there is one game Abdi is particularly looking forward to - the trip to Manchester United on Tuesday, March 1 - and the prospect of coming up against a World Cup winner.

"I've always wanted to play at Old Trafford," Abdi responded when asked which player he was looking forward to facing. "(Bastian) Schweinsteiger would be nice if I could take him on. The career he's had, World Cup winner and everything. I've also heard about the atmosphere at Old Trafford."

Asked why he'd chosen Schweinsteiger, Abdi joked: "Because he’s German and we can speak the same language. No, because I’m a (Borussia) Dortmund fan and he played for Bayern (Munich)."