Etienne Capoue has 'new-found freedom' at Watford

Etienne Capoue is enjoying a new-found freedom at Watford which has helped him move on from two hard years at Tottenham.

The French midfielder has been involved in every Premier League game for the Hornets this season after joining from Spurs for £6m during the summer transfer window.

Capoue moved to Tottenham from Toulouse in the summer of 2013 for £9m, but only started 19 Premier League matches in the past two years and last featured for Mauricio Pochettino's side back in January.

Watford are 11th in the table and the 27-year-old, signed by Quique Sanchez Flores, has been pivotal to the Hornets' strong start back in the top flight. 

"I play maybe more freely than at Tottenham," said Capoue.

It was two difficult years for me, but now I try to improve my qualities on the pitch.

"The manager said to me, try to take the ball, to manage the game. 

"I love my job and I do everything on the pitch. I have the confidence of the coach and the players, so I try to enjoy it on the pitch."

Watford face a Leicester side on Saturday who have lost only once in the Premier League this season and are third in the table.

Capoue and his team-mates will have to stop the prolific England striker Jamie Vardy, who has scored 11 goals in eight matches and is chasing Ruud Van Nistelrooy's record of scoring in 10 consecutive games. 

Capoue said: "He is a very good striker and he showed that last year.

"Leicester will be a very good game and very tough. Their offensive players are so good.

"We need to stay together in defence and to find the space to score because it will be difficult to score there as they are very good at home."