Head coach Valerien Ismael expects a decision to be made on the future of Ismaila Sarr soon, and added he is working with other senior figures at the club to find the right players he needs during the transfer window that fit the profile he has provided.

Ismael has seen three players arrive – Rhys Healey, Tom Ince and Matheus Martins (on loan) – but has lost Joao Pedro to Brighton, Tom Cleverley has retired, Craig Cathcart has been released and other members of last season’s squad have also departed.

However, the one name that stands out currently as potentially the next major departure is Senegal international Sarr.

A year ago he came within a phone call to the then-Aston Villa manager Steven Gerrard of moving to the midlands, and with Watford staying in the Championship it is anticipated the 25-year-old will leave Vicarage Road this summer.

“I think at the minute he is still on holiday, and he will come back shortly,” said Ismael this afternoon.

“We will have a talk with him and with the club to get to a decision.

“It’s clear that what I want is players who want to be involved, who are hungry, who have the desire to work hard.

“If we want to change the mindset of the squad – and we will – then regardless of the name of the player we will have to have the right player.”

Two weeks into pre-season, Ismael says he now has a clear idea of what he has – and a better idea of what he needs.

“We assessed the squad. At the minute we have 25 outfield players, which means we have a lot of players,” he explained.

“But at the same time, we are working behind the scenes to assess which possibilities we can get on the market.

“But when you have so much players as we have, then on one hand you have to take time to work and assess properly, give the players a real chance and then if the feeling is not there, then we will have to make a decision.

“At the moment, it is about getting good opinions about the squad.

“We expect players to come in, we expect players to leave. We will see. We have 25 players as I say, everyone wants to play but at some point we will have to take decisions about the players who are not involved.

“What we are doing right now is a normal process for pre-season.”

Ismael said that he is part of a team of people working on finding the right players to bring to the club, a group likely to include Ben Manga, Cristiano Giaretta and owner Gino Pozzo.

“They have that understanding of what we expect in terms of the way we want to play. We have a profile of player and we give them a profile of each position we need,” he said.

“Then it’s a question of the names on the list. I have some ideas, the club has some ideas, we put them all together and assess the situation, and then we pick the right player.

“It’s not about paying a lot of money for one player – I need more the right player in each position with the right mentality.

“If we have a feeling that this is the right player for me, the right player for the club because he will be an asset, then I am sure the club will be able to invest the money.

“But it’s not just about investing money. As I said, it is about finding the right player in each position based upon the profile we need. Then we need to pick the right player.

“We are working intensively behind the scenes, as a team, and I am confident we will find the solutions.

“We work together and, as I have said, we have that understanding of what we expect in terms of our way of playing.

“We all want to see intensity on the pitch, and we have a profile of player. We give that profile for each position we need, and then after that comes the names on the list.”

Ismael said that pre-season so far will have left no doubts in the players’ minds – both those who were here last season and new arrivals – as to what he expects.

“I think everyone in the squad, after these two weeks, now understands the way we want to train, and the way we want to play,” said the head coach.

“We have an ID and a direction that we want to work on, and which profile of player suits the squad and fits my way to play.

“I think, so far, we are satisfied with the squad. Some players did well and their reaction has been good. Their intensity is good.

“It’s up to us to be patient and put the club in a good position. We don’t want to rush but we want to be prepared.

“For sure, at some point, we will have to make decisions on players.”