Almen Abdi did not entertain any thoughts of leaving Vicarage Road during the summer, the Swiss midfielder has revealed.

Although it seemed almost unthinkable that the 28-year-old would move on after helping the Hornets achieve promotion to the Premier League last season, the influx of new signings in the summer led to some speculation that Abdi may depart as the Hornets set about trimming the number of non-home grown players on their books to comply the 25-man top-flight squad limit. This intensified to some degree when Middlesbrough sent two scouts to watch the former Udinese player in action during the Capital One Cup defeat at Preston North End.

But Abdi, who signed a new three-year deal with the Golden Boys in July, insisted he'd had no desire to move elsewhere when he spoke to the media this afternoon ahead of Sunday’s televised clash with Crystal Palace.

He said: “I read something in the newspaper but I was never thinking of going because for me a dream came true and I worked hard to get here [the Premier League] and I never wanted to leave so I’m very happy.”

Asked about the Boro scouts and if he had been aware of any approaches, Abdi recalled his performance at Deepdale and smiled: “I never heard anything about it, but to be fair it was not one of my best games so probably…

"But seriously, I never heard anything it. I read it but I was never thinking of leaving.”

Abdi has remained at Vicarage Road but this summer saw a number of departures of players, either permanently or on loan, who have been a significant part of the Watford story since the Pozzo takeover of the club. And the Swiss midfielder admitted it had been difficult to see them move on.

“It wasn’t easy but that’s how football works,” he said. “(Fernando) Forestieri, (Matej) Vydra, (Gabriele) Angella, (Daniel) Tozser as well, unfortunately they’re not here anymore. But football goes so quick and you always have to try your best in every training session, in every game and that is what I’ve tried to do. We have many new players but also their character is very good which is very important.”