Troy Deeney respects Gareth Southgate's decisions but questioned his methods

He thinks Southgate is sending a bad message to players outside of the top six

Deeney is open about his mental health issues and visits a psychologist weekly

Troy Deeney has spoken up over his latest rejection for an England call-up after getting off to a flying start with Watford this season. The Hornets currently sit fourth in the Premier League with four wins in their opening five games.

The Watford captain has played a major role in that form, leading from the front while scoring twice and finding an assist.

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His momentum has lead to some claims for his first England call-up, especially as England are short on attacking options following Jamie Vardy's international retirement.

Troy Deeney is off to a flying start this season, helping Watford win four of their opening five

His form has lead to calls for his inclusion in the England squad but Southgate isn't interested

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'I respected his decision, I can’t say I was overjoyed not to be in it, I’m one of those that believe you have to earn it, I don’t think four games is anywhere near enough to say I should be in the England team' Deeney told The Premier League Show.

Deeney was typically open and honest and questioned Gareth Southgate's reasoning behind his squad selection: 'I think his response was interesting, that he’s good enough for Watford but not for us, that message comes across that anyone who plays for a lesser team that doesn’t plays a certain style of football isn't going to be good enough for England.

'If you look at a Danny Ings, Glenn Murray, Callum Wilson, we would probably all be arguing well what do I need to be in the team? Because no offence to Danny Welbeck, I’ve got a lot of time for Danny Welbeck, but he’s not playing but he’s still being picked, so is it a case that’s just the team?'

For now, Deeney is solely focusing on himself and the club. He's come into the new season a lot leaner and fitter after coming under criticism for being overweight. The forward admits he had let himself go:

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'I got up on my 30th birthday and went to the bathroom and looked into the mirror and thought ‘ooft, is this what it has come to? It was the first time I’d looked at my body and I wasn’t happy with what I was seeing.

Deeney has started the season in excellent shape after coming under fire for being overweight

'This season I’ve been written off and people have called me fat so I’ve thought I’ll show you. I just need to be motivated and stimulated mentally. I know I can do anything if I put my mind to it.'

Javi Gracia has been pushing the physical limits of the squad and has set strict nutrition plans for all of the players which has surely helped Deeney.

The Watford captain also appears to be happier now and enjoying football again under the Spaniard. He was open about his recent struggles with mental health: 'Everyone’s got issues. There’s a stigma in football that you earn a certain amount of money, how dare you have issues.

'It’s perceived that money can take care of anything but in my experience it makes everything 15 times harder because you can’t act ‘normal’ and you’re not allowed to be vulnerable or weak but we all are.

Troy has been open about his struggles with mental health and visits a psychologist weekly

'It’s gone from grieving, where I lost my dad and my grandad within 18 months trying to learn how to grieve how to let people back in, obviously when I went to jail I closed up really quickly.

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'I always break it down I am three different people. I’m Troy Deeney the footballer, I’m daddy who the kids get to see and I’m Troy which a few of my mates get to see. I’m genuinely a big softie, I put this front on, and I’m just a laid back fool really.

'I’ve got a psychologist now, I still see him twice a week, it’s gone from lifestyle to sports management, how to get me into that zone.'

Now in a much healthier state, both physically and mentally, Deeney will want to build on Watford's sensational start and continue to push up the table. The striker strongly believes the squad can do just that saying: ' Top 10 is definitely achievable, we need to look at being best of the rest, and between seventh and 10th would be unbelievable.'