Fancy taking the Watford gig? Hopefully you’re more of a Javi Gracia than a Harry the Hornet at the helm, but at least the board’s demands are not too taxing.

A sizable transfer budget, a great squad and future stars on the market make the Hornets job very appealing in FIFA 19’s Career Mode.

The board’s expectations

Primarily, the bosses have long-term targets in mind, with desires of increasing season ticket holders by 10% and improving the club’s worth by 30% over three seasons.

Immediately, they are happy to finish in the middle of the Premier League table and reach the Round of 16 in the FA Cup. Should you sign a midfielder to the academy, the board would be satisfied but hold no ill feelings if you choose not to.

The transfer kitty

In order to strengthen your squad, the board assign £42million to the transfer fund with a further £120,900 reserved for wages. This leaves enough for two or three marquee additions, and a slight tweak towards the outright allowance will cater for any signing and agents fees you may be faced with.

Three players to buy

Nick Pope

One of the first players to sign if you intend on sticking around at Vicarage Road for more than a year is a new goalkeeper. First choice shot-stopper Ben Foster and backup Heurelho Gomes are both in the latter stages of their thirties.

A great option to consider is Burnley’s Nick Pope. The 26-year-old will set you back close to £14million, but is a steady pair of hands between the sticks and will not eat a large chunk of your wage budget.

Victor Lindelof

Christian Kabasele is by far the highest rated centre-back Watford offer, and despite a wealth of alternatives, another strong first choice defender is a must.

Manchester United’s Victor Lindelof is available for around £15million, and would be a strong contender for your team despite his hefty wage demands. He’ll start as a 79 rating but can develop into an 85-rated brick wall given a chance.

Ricardo Horta

The left midfielder spot is a heavily neglected position in the Watford ranks, with Roberto Pereyra the top choice there despite being better in the centre where he can link up play.

You could switch the Argentine out for Will Hughes in the middle, but a better alternative is signing Braga’s 23-year-old Ricardo Horta.

The Portuguese winger will demand a crucial squad spot and set you back more than £17million, but that is easily balanced with his low wage and potential to be one of the best wide players for the club’s level.

Three players to sell

Stefano Okaka

Italian forward Stefano Okaka is a hopeless striker to keep around on FIFA 19. The 28-year-old saps £42.5k from your wage allocation, and demands to be an important member of the squad, despite lacking drastically compared to his rivals.

Should you require an alternative to Troy Deeney or Andre Gray and chose not to hire a new face, 21-year-old Adalberto Penaranda is more than up to the task.

Kiko Femenia

Kiko Femenia narrowly loses out to Daryl Janmaat in the battle to be Watford’s right-back, and, with Marc Navarro a much younger alternative, is not particularly needed.

The 27-year-old will offer a tasty sum on the transfer market and will save you the hassle of two defenders asking for the same game time.

Sebastian Prodl

Watford have a total of ten centre-backs on their books, with Sebastian Prodl, Younes Kaboul, Miguel Angel Britos and Adrian Mariappa over 30, 74 rated and earning roughly the same. There is just no need to have that many alternatives who all offer the same thing.

Out of the four, Prodl will generate the highest transfer value and again take away a player asking for game time in a contested position, but you may as well pair his exit with that of Britos or Kaboul. Mariappa is worth keeping around as he’s happy with a rotational role.

Three for the future

Juan Camilo Hernandez

Colombia has produced an absolute gem in Juan Camilo Hernandez, but you’ll have to make do without his services in your first year in charge, as the teenager is away on loan to SD Huesca – although he can be recalled for a measly £252k.

The rapid striker has an eye for goal, strength to match and can play across the attacking line.

Adalberto Penaranda

21-year-old Penaranda is another option that can be deployed across the front line, but unlike Hernandez can be used immediately.

Venezuela’s product has slightly lower potential than the Colombian, but better vision, dribbling and ball control – he can one day play the attacking midfielder role behind his younger teammate.

Domingos Quina

If you have desires to nurture a lesser-proven talent over time, Portuguese midfielder Domingos Quina may be the answer.

At 18, he certainly has time on his hands to grow, but will never become a world-beater, unfortunately.