Brighton's De Zerbi on having Adam Lallana after new contract

The 34-year-old signed a new one-year deal with the Seagulls yesterday.

De Zerbi described him as "unique" in what he offers to the team - even off the pitch.

Lallana had hamstring surgery four weeks ago and hopes to be back in contention for the end of season games.

Lallana with De Zerbi after signing his new one year deal (Image: BHAFC/Paul Hazlewood)

De Zerbi said: “I am really pleased for Adam, it is an honour to be his coach.

"It is an honour for the other players to play with Adam and for the club to have in our team one player who is so good, so important and has so much experience.

“He is a positive guy and a very important player for us. For now, he is unlucky with his injury but he will be important for us.

“I don’t know if he will be able to play this season but for the importance inside the team, we lost an important player who is unique on the pitch. His quality is different to the other players in our squad but we can play in other ways.”

Lallana against Norwich last season

Lallana, who joined on a free nearly three years ago, had three goals and an assist in all competition for Albion.

He enjoyed a good run of games in the number ten role before his injury in January.

Lallana was full of praise for De Zerbi after signing his new contract.

He said: "The faith he’s shown in me personally I don’t think I could do justice in words to be honest, but I’ll try. 

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“He is special, really special. I’ve been blessed to work with great managers in my career and this guy is right up there. 

“He teaches, he inspires, he makes teams and individuals better. He’s the full package. When he said he wanted me to stay longer there was no way I could turn that down.”

Adam Webster is confirmed to be in the squad for Brighton's fixture against Palace tomorrow night, while Tariq Lamptey will be assessed tomorrow.