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Younes Kaboul says Leicester are the perfect model for Watford

Younes Kaboul climbs highest to win an aerial challenge
Image: Younes Kaboul climbs highest to win an aerial challenge

Younes Kaboul has urged Watford to take inspiration from reigning Premier League champions Leicester to fuel their bid for a top-10 finish.

The Hornets eased themselves above the halfway mark with a 1-0 victory at Middlesbrough on Sunday - their third win in five outings - to suggest that last season, which saw them end their first campaign back in the top flight in 13th place, was no fluke.

Kaboul was a Sunderland player at the time, but has seen enough since heading for Vicarage Road in the summer to believe they can improve upon that this time around.

He said: "Yes, because we have got quality in the group. Leicester proved last season anything can win the Premier League - I'm not talking about this, of course, but that shows you the mentality now of other teams.

"When I say other teams, it's the other teams out of the top four, five, maybe even six now. For the rest of the teams, anyone can surprise anyone. That's the Premier League."

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Watch highlights of Watford's win at Middlesbrough

Watford have changed manager in the meantime with Quique Sanchez Flores having made way for Walter Mazzarri, and the Italian insisted after the game at the Riverside Stadium that he is setting neither limits nor targets, but simply taking each game as it comes.

However, 30-year-old central defender Kaboul is adamant that he and his team-mates are determined to build upon the club's achievement last season.

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Jose Holebas celebrates his goal at Watford
Image: Jose Holebas celebrates his goal at Watford

Asked if they could do that, the Frenchman said: "Well, it depends. The first season, you always get that spark because it's new, bring back in the Premier League, so last season, the club did very well.

"The target this season is to do even better if possible; if not, to be like last season. But we always look to do better, of course.

"To be in the first half of the table would be perfect for the club."

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