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Who should sign Alexis Mac Allister?

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Brighton & Hove Albion have themselves a World Cup winner, folks!

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Alexis Mac Allister will return to the south coast feeling like a rockstar. He may well end up slapping Roberto De Zerbi’s backside and tickling the Italian’s little beard upon his return given the confidence he’ll undoubtedly exude ahead of the Seagulls’ festive schedule. He can do what he wants.

Mac Allister’s introduction into Argentina’s starting XI was one of several tactical changes made by Lionel Scaloni in Qatar which lifted La Albiceleste to their first World Cup glory since 1986. The Brighton midfielder was nothing short of superb in Qatar and he produced a stellar performance in the final. That showing alone would’ve undoubtedly piqued the interests of Europe’s elite and added a few extra million onto Mac Allister’s transfer value.

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Watch on YouTube as Harry Symeou, Scott Saunders, Grizz Khan and special guest Kieron Dyer review Argentina’s epic win over France on penalties. Subscribe to the channel here!

The Brighton man is one of several players who should earn a big move off the back of his World Cup showcase, but a January departure isn’t inevitable. He could move on next summer.

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Several clubs have already been linked with the diminutive midfielder and here are a few that’d be smart to pursue Mac Allister in 2023.

Simone Inzaghi

Inter have been linked with a move for the Brighton midfielder / Marco Luzzani/GettyImages

Inter’s midfield is pretty impressive with Marcelo Brozovic dominating at the base and Nicolo Barella marauding up and down the right half-space. Hakan Calhanoglu has complemented this tandem well since he crossed the Milanese divide, but Mac Allister would be an excellent systematic fit for Simone Inzaghi too.

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The Argentine has evolved from a crafty playmaker into a dogged box-to-box midfielder in the space of a few weeks. His work in tight spaces and in aiding his side’s build-up has been honed by both Graham Potter and De Zerbi, while his Argentinian ‘grinta’ manifested in Qatar.

Mac Allister’s a resolute footballer with an impressive technical repertoire and he’d fit right into Inter’s midfield three.

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The Brighton star’s work with La Albiceleste would suggest he’s well-suited to performing in a well-balanced midfield three.

Rodrigo de Paul, Diego Simeone

Could Mac Allister join his compatriots at Atletico? / Fran Santiago/GettyImages

Both Rodrigo De Paul and Mac Allister looked like archetypal Diego Simeone footballers at the World Cup. De Paul responded remarkably well following a woeful start to the tournament and he joined forces with Mac Allister to create a counter-pressing machine in the middle of the park.

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Simeone has already got his hands on De Paul, but the Argentine hasn’t exactly shone in the Spanish capital.

Many will project Mac Allister to endure a similar fate should Atletico display an interest in another Argentinian midfielder, but the Brighton man possesses the skill set and vigour to thrive in Simeone’s set-up.

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Harry Kane, Alexis Mac Allister

Harry Kane challenges Mac Allister / Steve Bardens/GettyImages

Central midfield probably isn’t at the top of Tottenham’s transfer priorities in 2023, but Antonio Conte is desperate to bolster his squad and he might be keen on signing the World Cup hero should the opportunity arise.

Conte is blessed with several competent #8s, but some fans might view Mac Allister as a talent that could alleviate some of the creative burden off of Harry Kane and Dejan Kulusevski.

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The Argentine’s competence in the double pivot is questionable, however, and Conte has primarily utilised a 3-4-3 since arriving in north London. The Italian has switched to a 3-5-2 from time to time, though, and Mac Allister would suit the left-sided #8 role in this set-up.

Alexis Mac Allister, Ben White, Cedric Soares

The Argentine is a good fit for Mikel Arteta’s system / Warren Little/GettyImages

Granit Xhaka’s resurgence as an advanced #8 has masked some depth issues within Arsenal’s midfield this season.

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The club opted not to sign a midfielder (outside of the creative Fabio Vieira) in the summer as a result of Xhaka’s early season form and the Swiss midfielder has since evolved into one of the Premier League’s leading midfielders.

Nevertheless, depth in midfield areas wouldn’t go amiss if the Gunners are to retain their title bid during the second half of the season.

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Mac Allister is a great fit for Xhaka’s current role in Mikel Arteta’s three-man midfield. The Argentine is very press-resistant, a competent passer and capable of having an influence in the final third.

Luke Shaw, Alexis Mac Allister

Mac Allister in action against the Red Devils at the start of the 2022/23 season / Catherine Ivill/GettyImages

Manchester United will be linked with a long list of stars that shone in Qatar, and Mac Allister is destined to be one of those names.

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The Red Devils have to bolster their midfield in 2023, and Mac Allister is an interesting profile for Erik ten Hag to consider. Christian Eriksen is not a long-term solution, while upgrades on Scott McTominay and Fred are required if United are to improve under the Dutch boss.

Mac Allister will slot seamlessly into Ten Hag’s set-up and immediately improve United’s technical quality in midfield.

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EPL

Harry Maguire suggests he isn’t ‘properly appreciated’ at Man Utd

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Manchester United captain Harry Maguire has suggested that he is not as appreciated at club level as he is for England.

Maguire made the switch to the Red Devils for £80m back in 2019 and has since divided opinion after being named the skipper less than a year later. This season, he was quickly dropped by incoming United manager Erik ten Hag in favour of Raphael Varane and summer signing Lisandro Martinez.

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At international level however, the centre-back has been one of England’s most dependable performers under Gareth Southgate, playing a major role in the Three Lions’ deep tournament runs over the last five years.

Maguire started for England in Thursday’s 2-1 win at Italy in Euro 2024 qualifying. He didn’t cover himself in glory for the Azzurri’s goal but stood tall late on to help grind out the victory.

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Speaking to the media post-match, Maguire was asked if he feels ‘properly appreciated’.

“For England, yes, I do,” he replied. “Obviously, last season was difficult for the club, but, listen, I’ve proven myself to Gareth, who works with a wide range of centre backs. He has the choice of all the English centre-backs in the country and I play, every time I’m available, I’ve been in the team.

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“I’m sure if you ask the rest of the lads they know what I bring to the team. I’m 30 years old but I shouldn’t really need to prove myself at this level. I’ve over 50 caps. I’m England’s top-scoring defender.

“I’ve played nearly 200 times for Manchester United, I’ve captained the club for three years now, but I do also understand that when you’re the captain of Manchester United you do come under the most amount of scrutiny. Last season at club level, my performance wasn’t good enough, alongside everybody else at club level, not just myself struggled. Everyone else struggled.”

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Maguire recognises that he has not always been at his best while wearing a United shirt.

He was an easy scapegoat during their dreadful 2021/22 season in which they recorded their lowest ever points tally in the Premier League era.

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That said, Maguire has also failed to kick on and if anything has taken several steps backwards after what was a promising first half to 2021, emerging as one of the league’s leading centre-backs and playing out of his skin while unfit in England’s run to the Euro 2020 final.

His case hasn’t been helped by his outward need silence critics, notably scoring for England and sticking his fingers in his ears as a celebration amid his decline for United.

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Arsenal lead Rice race; Man Utd eye Ferguson

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90min rounds up the latest transfer news, rumours and gossip circulating around the world…

Arsenal remain ahead of Chelsea in the race to sign Declan Rice from West Ham this summer. The midfielder’s preference is to stay in London amid previous links to Manchester City and Manchester United. (Football Insider)

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New Bayern Munich boss Thomas Tuchel will look to reunite with Chelsea duo Mateo Kovacic and Edouard Mendy when the summer window rolls around. (Calciomercato)

Manchester United are ready to send Amad Diallo back to Sassuolo as part of a bid to sign Italy midfielder Davide Frattesi. (CMW)

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Another player on Manchester United‘s radar is Brighton striker Evan Ferguson. The 18-year-old scored on his debut for the Republic of Ireland earlier this week. (Football Insider)

Liverpool will look to strengthen their defensive ranks with the signing of Dutch defender Perr Schuurs, with current club Torino ready to sell for a fee of €50m. (Tuttosport)

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Ilkay Gundogan is likely to leave Manchester City for Barcelona on a free transfer this summer. His contract expires at the end of the season. (The Athletic)

Real Madrid have joined Barcelona and Liverpool in the race to sign Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen. (Fabrizio Romano)

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Meanwhile, Celta Vigo midfielder Gabri Veiga would prefer to join Real Madrid over the likes of Barcelona and Manchester United this summer. (Cadena SER)

After failing with a bid last summer, Chelsea are working on another offer to sign Romeo Lavia from Southampton. (Football Insider)

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Arsenal and Newcastle are monitoring Atalanta striker Rasmus Hojland, who grabbed a hat-trick on his international debut for Denmark this week. (Tutto Atalanta)

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Arsenal pre-season 2023/24: Fixtures and schedule

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Having reached new heights in the Premier League in 2022/23, Arsenal will soon be beginning their preparations for the new campaign with a pre-season tour to get ready for 2023/24.

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Preparations for last season took place in Germany for Arsenal but with the Covid-19 pandemic a bit more of a distant memory for many, it is expected that more teams will be heading further afield again to either the United States of America or Asia.

Arsenal are yet to announce a full training camp location for their pre-season but they do have one fixture already confirmed which drops a big clue.

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The Gunners are going to be coming up against an MLS All-Star team in Washington D.C. which will be coached by Manchester United and England legend Wayne Rooney. That takes place on July 19 and it is hard to imagine that Arsenal will only play one game in America.

A semi-regular fixture of Arsenal’s pre-seasons in recent years has been the Emirates Cup, but there has not been any word on whether an edition of that will be taking place or not this summer. If there is, then Arsenal could be splitting their time between America and London.

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All times BST.

As is the case for almost every big club in football now, all of Arsenal’s pre-season friendlies are expected to be televised live on Arsenal.com and their official app with a subscription.

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