Watford head coach Quique Sanches Flores says striker Matej Vydra joined Reading on loan because he did not adapt to his requirements

The Czech Republic international was the most high profile departure from Vicarage Road on a frantic transfer deadline day which saw four players leave the Hornets on loan and a further three arrive.

Vydra, who scored 16 times in 31 Championship starts last season to help fire the Golden Boys into the Premier League, only signed a five-year deal during the summer but he was allowed to join Reading on a season-long loan after falling out of favour under the Spaniard.

“I think he did not adapt to the team,” said Flores. “I need to keep players here who believe in the work 100 per cent and I felt Vydra was working but was not convinced about the ideas we have. In this case I had to stick with players who were training 100 per cent.”

Even less clear cut was the case of Mexican international Miguel Layun. Signed from Club America – via Granada – in January, the versatile wide player started and scored in Watford’s 2-2 opening day draw at Everton.

He was a surprise inclusion at Goodison Park after winning the Gold Cup with Mexico during the summer. Layun had started the only friendly game, at home to Sevilla, following his return to England and was involved against both West Bromwich Albion and Manchester City.

Flores had appeared to take a shine to Layun but the Mexican joined Porto on a season-long loan deal with a view to a permanent switch next summer.

“We tried to keep Layun but sometimes there are other interests with agents around other people in football, they need to move players,” explained Flores. “I was talking with Layun in the last week [before he left] and asked if he was going to stay with us but finally they decided to move.”

“Sometimes it is impossible to retain players,” Flores continued. “I was very happy with Layun but sometimes that happens. It is not only Watford; (Angel) Di Maria at Real Madrid, Pedro in Barcelona – these kind of things happen in football.”

Centre-back Gabriele Angella was another player who left Vicarage Road on the final day of trading and, like Vydra, the Italian moved having signed a long-term contract in the summer only to join Championship side Queens Park Rangers.

Flores said: “Some players feel like maybe they are not playing the minutes they need or want. Then they decide in the last month that they would prefer to go to another team.

“This is football, you have to respect their decision. I said in the last week what I want is players who are happy.”

The future of Fernando Forestieri had looked to be away from Watford for some time after the forward was named in the Hornets’ matchday squad just once in their opening three fixtures and a permanent switch to Sheffield Wednesday was announced ahead of kick off at Manchester City.

Explaining the decision, Flores said: “He is a good player and three or four years ago he did something interesting for the team but he was not one the main players last year.

“He was not a main player in pre-season. We had to choose between 32 players. My problem was not keeping 32 players, my problem was putting 25 on the list [for the Premier League].”

Daniel Pudil also joined the Owls, albeit on loan, and Flores admitted it had been tough to whittle a large squad down to just 25 players in order to meet the Premier League’s rules.

He said: “I am happy. It was very difficult to build the final squad because we are working with a lot of players and always with the idea of keeping the main players of last year so it is not easy. I am pleased with Mr Pozzo and the sporting directors because they worked very hard.”

But Flores says the door is not closed on the Watford careers of those who departed on a temporary basis during the final days of the transfer window.

“What I am wishing is they will play the minutes they consider they should play,” he reasoned.

“They belong to Watford and next year there is the possibility to come back and that is perfect.”