Watford boss Marco Silva eases pressure on Andre Gray
Thursday 10 August 2017 19:07, UK
Marco Silva insists there is no added pressure on Watford striker Andre Gray following his move from Burnley for a club-record fee.
The 26-year old signed a five-year deal with the Hornets on Wednesday, which Sky sources understand to be in the region of £18m.
Gray, who scored nine Premier League goals for Burnley last season, is Silva's seventh major signing of the summer but the Spaniard is adamant there is no extra pressure on the Englishman due to his price-tag.
"It's not the most important for me and it's not the most important for the player," Silva said when asked about Gray's club-record fee.
"I want him to play here with normal pressures and not because of the price but because he's come to Watford to work hard and win his position."
The forward arrives at Vicarage Road following a career which saw him playing non-league with Luton three years ago, and Silva believes choosing Watford proves Gray wants to continue that improvement.
"I know he's a player who wanted to come to Watford, which is important as well," he added.
"He wants to improve in his career and fight for his position in the team and to improve our squad."
Despite Watford's several incomings, the former Hull boss confirmed his summer spending had not yet finished.
A lack of reinforcements in defence has forced the Hornets to target a new left-back thought Silva refused to be drawn on any individual targets.
"It's not important at this moment to talk about how many but we will continue until the end of the month," he said.
"If you look at our roster, then sure we need to sign a left-back, the other positions we will continue to work on."
Watford start their Premier League campaign at home to Liverpool on Saturday lunchtime, live on Sky Sports Premier League.
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