Speaking ahead of their English Premier League game away at Chelsea on Saturday (20th August), Watford FC manager Walter Mazzarri played down his simmering feud with fellow Italian and Chelsea boss Antonio Conte, insisting that he respects Conte "as a person and as a manager".

SOUNDBITE (Italian) Walter Mazzarri, Watford FC manager:

(Q. Can you explain why you are not friends with Chelsea manager Antonio Conte?)

"Friendship is a very important concept. I respect Conte as a person and as a manager. I saw him at the managers' meeting with the FA (Football Association). I respect him a lot as a person but for me friendship is another thing, so I respect him as a person, no problem."

SOUNDBITE (Italian) Walter Mazzarri, Watford FC manager:

(Q. How big a test will it be for you and your players against Chelsea?)

"When I said I was curious to see how the team is going to play against Chelsea, it's also because we are playing against such a great team. We will have to see, we will have to stay focused and see how we will do."

SOUNDBITE (Italian) Walter Mazzarri, Watford FC manager:

(Q. Were you surprised that Chelsea struggled last season, and do you expect them to be much higher up the league, perhaps even challenging for the title, this season?)

"Last year was a special year, it was a strange year for a club like Chelsea. It was something that doesn't usually happen. From the first game of this season, they have already shown that they are a great team, and in my opinion they are one of the candidates to win the Premier League."

SOUNDBITE (Italian) Walter Mazzarri, Watford FC manager:

(Q. Could you confirm that (Sunderland defender) Younes Kaboul and (Juventus midfielder) Roberto Pereyra are set to have medicals at Watford?)

"Yes, from what I have heard, yes. But I know that for players, if there are talks before a game, they can't concentrate and can be distracted, so for now I just want to concentrate on the game."