There were strong words of praise from Tom Cleverley for midfielder Edo Kayembe after Watford’s final pre-season game against Brentford.

The Congolese international was played as one of the dual No.10s against the Bees and looked very much at home in a more advanced role.

“Edo has been magnificent in pre-season and has been one of the real shining lights,” said the head coach.

“I think he’s a bit of a hybrid at the minute, out of possession and in possession.

“What I can say is I’m thrilled with how he’s performing and I think he enjoys the role.

“He has all the qualities I want from someone in that role.”

The Watford boss was also impressed with the midfield pairing of Tom Dele-Bashiru and Moussa Sissoko.

“Tom and Moussa did fantastic,” he said.

“My only thought was could we have controlled the game a little bit more in possession – on a hot day like this that would have taken the performance from a seven to an eight or nine out of ten.

“But they worked really well together and they looked really solid.

“We were against Premier League opposition and on a day like this when you have to suffer possession a bit, it’s difficult on the turnovers to be as bright and sharp as you want to be.

“It was a big step forward and the players will take belief from this, which is something that I felt we had lot a bit of.”

As the game wore on Giorgi Chakvetadze became more and more pivotal, backing up another good performance in the week at Wycombe.

“It thrills me to go into my job and work with players like Giorgi,” said Cleverley.

“He’s a real talent. I was never a ball carrier like Giorgi.

“I love the way he can travel with the ball and the way he plays. He’s in a good moment and it’s my job to keep him in that.”