Javi: I’m not bitter over Rich

JAVI GRACIA will bear no grudges when £45million Richarlison returns to Vicarage Road today.

The Brazil winger, who followed former Watford coach Marco Silva to Merseyside last summer, failed to score in 15 appearances for the Hornets under Gracia.

But his former boss saw the funny side after Richarlison opened the scoring in the 2-2 draw at Goodison Park in December, joking with him: “Nice to see you found the net again!” Silva can expect a hostile reception from Watford fans, but there should be no ill-feeling towards Richarlison. The Hornets made a handsome £34m profit in the space of 12 months on their record sale.

Gracia said: “He is a very good player and a very good person as well. He always kept a very good level here.”

Any acrimony surrounding Silva’s return will not concern Gracia. “I am thinking only about Everton’s shape and their players, not their coach.”