Adam Lallana signs new Brighton contract to 2024
Adam Lallana has been rewarded for his excellent performances since the arrival of Robert De Zerbi with a new Brighton contract running until 2024.
Having chopped and changed roles on a weekly basis under Graham Potter, Lallana has thrived playing exclusively as a number 10 since De Zerbi introduced his favoured 4-2-3-1 formation in late October.
The veteran midfielder had three goals in 15 appearances prior to picking up an injury during the Albion’s January 2-2 draw at Leicester City which could rule him out for the season.
That goal scoring form was in stark contrast to Lallana’s return under Potter. He scored just once from 59 appearances over two-and-a-bit seasons whilst Glow Up was at the helm.
More important than Lallana’s improved goals output, however, was his ability to link the play and always pick the right pass; essential ingredients in the DeZerbiBall system of keeping possession, drawing the press and attacking at lightning quick speed.
Lallana has proven himself integral to the way De Zerbi plays. His experience and leadership meanwhile are vital in what is one of the youngest squads in the top flight.
Since his September appointment as Albion head coach, De Zerbi has frequently spoken in glowing terms about Lallana.
“Adam is one of the players with who I have built one of the best relationships here,” De Zerbi said when he was one month into the job.
“He has helped me a lot, including my staff. I think he can become a very good head coach but for now, he is still a very strong player and I believe I can count on him a lot.”
Brighton signed Lallana on an initial three-year contract from Liverpool in the summer of 2020 with one eye very much on his future potential as a coach.
That length of contract and the Albion’s plans to help Lallana take the first steps in his coaching career were crucial to securing his signature in the first place.
Lallana has already had a brief taste of what management entails. He was named as part of Under 21s boss Andrew Croft’s interim coaching team when Crofts was put in temporary charge following Potter walking out for Chelsea.
De Zerbi had left Brighton in no doubt that he wanted the club to keep Lallana as a player in spite of the latest injury setback and him turning 35 in May.
“I want Lallana with me, for sure, 100%,” De Zerbi said last month. “I already spoke with Tony [Bloom] and I told him to extend his contract.”
Brighton have now done that. The decision will go down well with De Zerbi, the rest of the Albion squad and Seagulls supporters, with Lallana having established himself as one of the more popular players currently at the Amex.
Lallana becomes the third midfielder to sign a new deal with Brighton since De Zerbi took over. Alexis Mac Allister and Moises Caicedo have both penned long-term contracts with the duo expected to attract serious interest from the European Super League Elite Six in summer.
Should either or both leave, then Lallana will have a big role to play in helping the young midfield talent like Julio Enciso, Facundo Buonanotte, Jeremy Sarmiento and Yasin Ayari waiting in the wings establish themselves in the Premier League.
A reminder right there that Lallana’s importance to Brighton is about much more than what he offers for 90 minutes on the pitch once a week.
