Heurelho Gomes believes playing in the Champions League is not out of Watford’s reach considering who their owner is.

Gino Pozzo took over the Hornets three years ago and has achieved the target of taking the club into the Premier League.

Pozzo and his father Gianpaolo have a proven track record of success, after guiding Udinese into a Champions League qualifying position in the Serie A and also taking Granada from the Spanish third tier into the top flight.

Gomes was one of Watford’s marquee signings last summer and played a pivotal role in securing promotion to the Premier League.

He was asked whether the Hornets could follow fellow Pozzo-owned club Udinese in securing a place in the Champions League qualifying stage in the coming years, which the Italian club did in consecutive seasons prior to their takeover of Watford in 2012.

Gomes replied: “Yes [Watford can reach the Champions League], because they (the Pozzos) know how to do it. They have Granada as well and whilst they are not having a good season, I think Watford have the potential to do better than Udinese did when they took over there. We are now in the strongest league in the world and I believe he (Gino Pozzo) has everything to do well and put this football club up high.”

He continued: “He (Gino Pozzo) knows football. He is very clever and he has been in the game a long time. He managed the squad well by getting quality players, and we have young players mixed with a few experienced players like myself.”

But Gomes did stress: “It is not easy to compete in England. We know we are going to play against teams that have been there for a long time, but I believe it costs nothing to dream. They have everything to achieve things. It will be step-by-step but they (the Pozzos) know that.”

The likes of Southampton and Swansea City have shown it is possible to establish yourself in the Premier League having spent time in the second tier, despite all three of last season’s promoted sides fighting for relegation this time around.

So can Watford emulate Swansea?

“I believe he (Gino Pozzo) can achieve things higher than that,” Gomes replied. “The club has everything to do this. We are in a great part of England – we are well located - and I believe we can achieve things. Players will want to come here because they can live in London and I believe that is key. The club has everything to be there and fight to establish itself in the Premier League.”

The attraction of London is a point regularly highlighted by the foreign imports that arrive at Vicarage Road.

Pozzo’s whole catalogue of success is built on their world-renowned scouting system and the ability to develop young players before selling on for vast profit.

Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez and Chelsea’s Juan Cuadrado – two of the Premier League’s top ten most expensive signings this season – were brought to Europe from South America by the Pozzos. They are two of many.

Gomes’ claims are bold but he is not a fool. He knows the squad will need strengthening further.

He said: “I don't know how many players we need but we need some players in different positions.

“We already have a very good squad but the Premier League is different. They (the Pozzos) know that and they will do that; they will sign very good players to help us next season.”

Gomes’ contract expires this summer but the Hornets have the option of an additional year.

The goalkeeper is one of many Golden Boys who are yet to discuss their futures with the club’s owners, who wanted to wait until the season ended before confirming who will be staying and who will be asked to find other clubs.

“I don’t know if I will be here yet,” Gomes said. “The club has the option of another year and probably in a few weeks we will talk about it.

“It is a great club and I felt very welcome here. If there is a possibility to stay here then it would be great.”

The 34-year-old continued: “Yes [the club have given me assurances they want me]. We did not have a meeting but I spoke with [sporting director] Luke Dowling as well and I believe they want me to stay.

“But we have to celebrate now because it was a tough and long year. The Championship has so many games so of course we have to celebrate now and then we will speak about the future.”

Gomes’ first English club was Tottenham Hotspur, who he joined in 2008.

The Brazil international was a fans’ favourite for a while at Spurs and was part of the team that reached the Champions League quarter-finals in 2011 during their debut campaign in the competition.

But he was eventually frozen out at White Hart Lane and his nine appearances on loan at German side Hoffenheim in 2013 were his only competitive outings between November 2011 and his arrival at Vicarage Road last summer.

Gomes highlighted that he was part of Spurs’ most successful team in recent years when he spoke to the media at the weekend and earlier this season stated “I belong in the Premier League”.

Failing to secure the Championship title on Saturday left Gomes with “a strange feeling”, having secured promotion the week before, but stated it was a case of job done.

His head coach, Slavisa Jokanovic, is in a similar position to the goalkeeper in that his contract expires in a few weeks’ time.

And Gomes said: “Of course [I want Jokanovic to stay]. He helped us. It is up to the club to decide but of course they will try to do the best things for the club.”

You can read Jokanovic's comments regarding his future here. And a gallery from the final day of the 2014/15 campaign can be found here.