De Zerbi urges Mac Allister to stay at Brighton

De Zerbi urges Mac Allister to stay at Brighton

Alexis Mac Allister has been warned against a January move by Brighton and Hove Albion boss Roberto De Zerbi.

Mac Allister won praise for a series of energetic performances for Argentina in Qatar, starting six of La Albiceleste's seven matches as they won the World Cup for a third time.

Although he signed a new three-year contract with Brighton in October, Mac Allister has been linked with some of Europe's biggest sides, with Juventus, Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea credited with an interest in the 24-year-old.

On Monday, Mac Allister returned to Brighton for the first time since the tournament and told Sky Sports he was "in no rush" to move elsewhere. 

De Zerbi welcomed those comments as he insisted the AMEX Stadium was the best place for Mac Allister to continue his development.

"I spoke with him an hour ago about playing better. If he wants to stay, we're happy. It's better for him as well as for us," De Zerbi said as he previewed Tuesday's trip to Everton.

"In this moment, changing team could be a problem for him.

"We are happy for him. Now for us he's a very important player. It's better to play with him than to play without him."

Mac Allister scored twice as Brighton won 3-2 at Goodison Park in January last year, but De Zerbi will leave it late before deciding on his involvement this time around.

Asked whether Mac Allister was ready to start, De Zerbi said: "Mentally yes. Physically, I don't know. We'll decide [on Tuesday]."

Brighton fell to a 4-2 defeat in a thrilling contest against Premier League leaders Arsenal on Saturday, with De Zerbi left to lament a lack of luck.

"We are disappointed with the result. We played well," he said. "To get a good result against a big team you have to be a little lucky. We weren't lucky. 

"We had chances to open the game but Arsenal are a great team. We can lose the game, but we are disappointed with the way in which we lost the game, not only for the result, but for the way."

More News on this


Poch challenges Colwill to prove he deserves to start

Poch challenges Colwill to prove he deserves to start


Mauricio Pochettino admits Levi Colwill will have to fight for his place at Chelsea — despite his abundance of talent. 

The England youth centre-back has started just one of the four games the Blues have played so far during their pre-season tour of the United States. 

Read more
Premier League talking points ahead of the 2023-24 campaign

Premier League talking points ahead of the 2023-24 campaign


The Premier League returns later this month and Treble winners Manchester City will be looking to make it four titles in a row. 

Pep Guardiola's side are favourites to lift the trophy yet again but their rivals will be confident of at least closing the gap.

Read more
Five signings looking to make an impact in 2023-24

Five signings looking to make an impact in 2023-24


The Premier League transfer window has once again seen eye-watering amounts of money spent by clubs looking to improve their squads ahead of the new season.

With plenty of players settling into new surroundings, there will be intrigue as to who can make the quickest impact.

Read more
Liverpool boss Klopp laughs off Mbappe loan link

Liverpool boss Klopp laughs off Mbappe loan link


Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has laughed off suggestions the club are in the running to put together a loan deal for Kylian Mbappe.

France captain Mbappe has been subject of a world-record £259million bid from Saudi Arabia club Al Hilal, but Paris St Germain could also be open to a temporary move ahead of the possibility of seeing him leave for nothing next year at the end of his current contract.

Read more