Quique Flores confident ahead of his Premier League debut

Barton made his professional debut for Manchester City against Bolton in 2003 and has spent the majority of the last 12 years plying his trade in the Premier League.

Another 21 league goals last season were pivotal to Watford’s promotion push, as was his understanding with Ighalo and Vydra, as the trio scored 57 goals between them; more than 11 Championship teams.

While the Hornets are excited to be back in the mainstream, the Toffees are also keen on winning their first game in months.

The key for Flores will be how quickly his new players can gel as he looks to stamp his style on the club, and although the test is to stay in the Premier League for another season at least, the fans will be eager to see how the squad matches up against one of the league’s established sides. Also joining in the summer window: Giedrius Arlauskis, Sebastian Prodl, Matej Vydra, Allan Nyom, Miguel Britos, Jose Jurado Marin, Steve Berghuis and Jose Holebas.

The club moved quickly in the transfer market to bring in Tom Cleverley on a free transfer and complete a deal for Gerard Deulofeu, whose fine form in a loan spell was a key factor to Martinez’s success in his first season.

Watford will benefit from the club’s multilingual dressing room, according to new boss Quique Sanchez Flores. It can be tough playing a newly-promoted side on the opening day, but Everton should be strong enough to secure a narrow win. Hamstring injuries are hindering the chances of Steven Pienaar and Muhamed Besic featuring while Darren Gibson’s ankle problem adds further time missed in his Everton career.

Martinez spoke to the media on Thursday, lamenting last season’s performances. “So we need to get to a new level”.

The Everton boss did express his excitement “with the feeling in the dressing room” and urged his players to “use the home support on our favour.”

Everton have dominated this fixture for years now with Watford without a win or draw since 1987. Before that they played in August 2006 and Everton won that game 2 – 1.

“Managerial merry-go-round” was the theme of the Hornets’ campaign last term, as no fewer than four managers took the reigns throughout the season, with Slavisa Jokanovic eventually seeing Watford over the line as they finished as Championship runners-up. Could he be this season’s surprise package?