We work like Spain star, Brighton boss tells his players

Alex Baena puts the heat on Argentina's Lionel Messi in the World Cup final <i>(Image: Martin Rickett)</i>
Alex Baena puts the heat on Argentina's Lionel Messi in the World Cup final (Image: Martin Rickett)
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Fabian Hurzeler has revealed which Spain star he has held up as an example to his own squad.

And he would love to see his work-rate replicated by Albion players.

Hurzeler is a big admirer of the Spanish side which won the World Cup by beating Argentina 1-0 in a tense final.

The Seagulls head coach loves the way they stick to their plan and always play the same way.

He enjoys their style of passing the ball out from deep.

And he says wideman Alex Baena is a great example of the work-rate he demands from his own players.

Hurzeler told talkSPORT: “I think it comes back to work rate.

“Last week I showed my team how Baena, the left winger from Spain, is defending. That’s just outstanding.

“He defends like a full-back. He doesn’t accept that a player passes him.

“I think it starts with a striker, continues with the winger.

“Also the midfielder like (Dani) Olmo. He always tracks back. They are there for each other.

“They defend like a team, they have a really high work-rate and exactly this togetherness, these moments where the defender has the feeling that the winger really cares that no one passes him.

“I think this gives the feeling where everyone really defends together.

“Plus they have this outstanding work rate where everyone is there for each other, sprint for each other.

“That is very difficult to break down.”

Albion continue their build-up to the coming season and head to France later this week, where they will train as well as playing against Annecy and Strasbourg in friendlies behind closed doors.

They do so after giving 22 players 45 minutes of action apiece in a 4-1 friendly win over Wycombe.

Those not involved included their nine World Cup players as well as skipper Lewis Dunk and goalkeeper Carl Rushworth, who is wanted by Coventry City.

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