Given the rock solid partnership they have created at the heart of Watford’s midfield, Abdoulaye Doucoure’s recollections of his earliest memories of Etienne Capoue come as a surprise.

Upon joining Watford, Doucoure found himself firmly behind fellow Frenchman Capoue in the pecking order and fighting tooth and nail to make an impression.

He would have to be patient in doing so as then Watford boss Walter Mazzarri showed little inclination towards using his considerable talents.

A loan spell loomed before injury elsewhere finally allowed Doucoure his chance and he hasn’t looked back since.

Both he and Capoue are now certainties in Watford’s best XI, but Doucoure admits that a desire to play initially made forming a relationship with his compatriot tricky.

“At the beginning we were in competition because we both played the same position and we didn’t talk too much, but after one or two years it is different,” Doucoure said.

“In football sometimes when you are in competition with other players you do not talk too much. I was out of the team and maybe our relationship wasn’t the best.

“I didn’t play with Mazzarri and won my place with Marco Silva. Etienne then regained his with Javi Gracia and we have been through similar situations.

“Now we play and train together the relationship we have is much better. At the moment, Etienne and I are doing very well.”

Doucoure and Capoue’s flourishing relationship in the centre of midfield owes much to the efforts of Gracia, with the Spanish head coach helping the latter in particular make huge strides.

A deeper role has suited Capoue and allowed Doucoure, who is often mistaken for a defensive midfielder, freedom to get up and down the pitch.

Much to the surprise of many, the former Rennes man signed a new long-term deal in the summer to tie him to Watford until 2023.

Gracia was always keen to hold onto one of his main assets and Doucoure says the stability the head coach has brought to the club helped convince him to stay.

“Since last year he always wanted me to stay and told me he wanted to work with me. We spoke a lot about it,” he said.

“He is a great manager and a good person who has changed a lot at the club since he came here.

“He knew he couldn’t decide whether I stay or the club let me leave but he said he would be very happy if I stayed.

“Even in training he pushes us very hard as players and when we do something wrong he rectifies it straight away. I love his management and he has improved me a lot.”

The manner in which Doucoure is playing means talk of a departure from WD18 is never too far away and PSG are the latest super club to be touted as a potential suitor.

Doucoure has never been shy in stirring the pot containing his future but, while a move away is almost inevitable should his star continue to rise, he is keen to reiterate that helping Watford reach new heights is his main objective.

“I don’t know how long I considered it (leaving) to be honest,” he said. “When you are linked with a big club it is always good and means you are playing well.

“I could go back to France or stay in England but I love to play here in the best league and my family is happy here. We will see in the future.

“I am 25 and could move anywhere in the future, but I want to stay.”