BRIGHTON boss Roberto De Zerbi has told star duo Alexis Mac Allister and Moises Caicedo: “If you want to go, you can go.”
But he still hopes Europa League qualification could convince the Seagulls’ biggest stars to snub offers from the Premier League elite.
And the Italian coach has demanded owner Tony Bloom improves the squad or risk ending up like Leicester or West Ham.
The Seagulls have confirmed European football next season for the first time in their history — and can clinch sixth and a Europa League spot if they avoid defeat at home to champions Manchester City tonight.
Mac Allister, Moises Caicedo and Kaoru Mitoma are on the radar of several top-flight giants, including Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United.
De Zerbi put the brakes on Caicedo joining the Gunners in January for £70million.
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On whether this could be the last home game for the likes of him and Mac Allister, De Zerbi explained: “It can be.
“They can have the possibility to change as they deserve to play at another level but now we can offer them the possibility to play in Europe.
“Our level is bigger now. I think it can help.
“The Europa Conference League is a very nice competition but everybody can see the Europa is more important.
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“I don’t know if they can change. They will have more motivation but they are very good guys.
“When I work for myself and my club, I still think for the players.
“The players have one career, one life and we can’t decide for them. I don’t know what Tony will decide but if they want to leave, it is right they leave.”
De Zerbi has also been linked with other jobs after a stellar eight months at Brighton but the 43-year-old insists he will stay as long as he feels “fire and motivation”.
However, the message is clear to Bloom — more quality is needed to avoid a collapse like those at relegation battlers Leicester and West Ham, who both finished in the top eight last year.
De Zerbi said: “I push with Tony to improve the squad every day.
“Leicester, West Ham this year — if you don’t improve always year by year you can find a surprise the year after.”
Brighton will give City a guard of honour and De Zerbi said their boss Pep Guardiola gave him an encouraging call when he arrived in September.
He added: “Pep is the best coach in the Premier League, the best coach in the past 30 years.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
