Javi Gracia wants Troy Deeney to extend his stay at Watford, but says the striker should have no fears about leaving a legacy as he is already a club legend.
In the build-up and aftermath of Watford’s FA Cup semi-final over Wolves earlier this month Deeney spoke about his desire to create a legacy at Vicarage Road.
The 30-year-old is due to make his 368th appearance for Watford on Monday when they host Arsenal and he has set his sights on Luther Blissett’s club record of 503 games.
To do that Deeney would need to sign an extension on his current contract, which will have two years to run come the summer, and he has spoken of his desire to agree fresh terms.
Gracia is behind such a deal, but he has also told Watford’s captain that his position as a club legend is already secured.
“I think Troy, in this moment, is a legend for the club,” Gracia told Standard Sport.
“If he stays for more time, a long time here, he will be even more [of a legend]. But he does not need to spend more time in this club to do that.
“Everybody knows how important he is for Watford. I am sure Troy is important now and he will be important in the future.
“As I have said before, for the club it is important to create a group of players with one coach, with others coaches, in different circumstances, and then the strength of the club will be there with them.”
Victory for Watford tonight will see them jump from 10th to 7th in the Premier League as they continue their push for European football.
The club know beating Manchester City in the FA Cup final on May 18 will secure them a spot in the Europa League.
However, if they lose, seventh place in the Premier League would be good enough for Europe and as such Gracia does not want his side taking their foot off the gas.
“In this moment, I prefer to keep the same attitude we had all season,” he said.
“We try to give importance to the next game, the next three points. Our final is to play against Arsenal. It is not in May, it is on Monday.
“That is the mentality we have and that is the mentality I want to keep for the rest of the season.”
