Roberto De Zerbi believes Moises Caicedo and Alexis Mac Allister “deserve to play in another level” but hopes European football can convince the in-demand duo to stick with Brighton. Ecuador international Caicedo and Argentina World Cup winner Mac Allister continue to be heavily linked with summer transfers following standout seasons in Sussex. Albion potentially strengthened their hopes of retaining two of their star performers by securing continental qualification with Sunday’s 3-1 Premier League win over relegated Southampton. While De Zerbi feels that may prove persuasive, he does not wish to hamper the careers of the pair and concedes Wednesday evening’s match with Manchester City could be their final appearances in a Seagulls shirt at the Amex Stadium. “It can be the last game but I don’t know,” said the Brighton head coach. “They can have the possibility to change (clubs) because they deserve to play in another level. “But now we can offer them the possibility to play in Europe because our level is bigger now. We can offer them one possibility more.” Asked if a European place can make the difference, De Zerbi replied: “It can be. They can have more motivation. But they are very good guys. “When I work, I think for myself, I think for my club but I think still for the players because the players have one career, one life and we can’t decide for them. “I don’t know what Tony (Bloom, Brighton owner) can decide but if they want to leave, for myself, it’s right they leave.” Albion will almost certainly finish sixth and be in the Europa League next term due to their goal difference being significantly better than Aston Villa’s but need one more point to banish any prospect of slipping into the Europa Conference League. De Zerbi insists his side will not play for a draw against champions City as they attempt to cement their spot in the superior competition. “The focus is to play seriously,” said the Italian, whose team conclude the campaign at Villa on Sunday. “We want to play in the Europa League and to play in the Europa League we have to make another point. “We can’t start the game to make one point. We have to think to win the game. “We have a big, big, big target – bigger than Conference League because we expect Conference League. “If we have the possibility to play in a more prestigious competition, we have to try it.” City boss Pep Guardiola compared De Zerbi to a chef at a Michelin-starred restaurant ahead of the midweek clash on the south coast, while hailing him as one of the most influential managers of the last 20 years. De Zerbi reciprocates that respect and praised the Spaniard for aiding his transition to life in England. “I can’t forget that before I arrived here, I received his call and he helped me a lot in the first period,” De Zerbi said of Guardiola. “He was very nice with me. “I can’t explain Guardiola. My opinion is he is the best coach in the Premier League and the best coach in the last 30 years. It’s my opinion but I think a lot of people think like me.” Meanwhile, De Zerbi backed Seagulls captain Lewis Dunk for an international recall. England boss Gareth Southgate will on Wednesday name his squad for next month’s Euro 2024 qualifiers against Malta and North Macedonia. “He deserves to play in the national team,” De Zerbi said of defender Dunk, who won his only international cap in 2018. “It’s not my work to decide the players of the national team but for us it should be a target. I hope he can play in the national team.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live ECB CEO sees bright future for The Hundred despite Sanjay Patel’s impending exit Pep Guardiola expecting City’s intensity to drop but warns of challenges to come ‘This is the right club’ – Bukayo Saka signs new long-term Arsenal contract

Atlanta United defender Brooks Lennon believes his team has what it takes to win in the postseason.

Australian driver Oscar Piastri has signed a new deal with McLaren to keep him at the Formula One team until 2026. Piastri joined McLaren as reserve driver last year and made his F1 debut this season at Bahrain before he finished fourth at the British Grand Prix. The 22-year-old further showed his potential with a second-place showing in the sprint race at the Belgian Grand Prix and will now continue alongside British racer Lando Norris at McLaren for the foreseeable future. “I am thrilled to be extending my partnership with McLaren for many years. I want to be fighting it out at the front of the grid with this team and I am excited by the vision and foundations that are already being laid to get us there,” Piastri said. “We’ve enjoyed some good moments together in my rookie season, but I’m excited to work together with everyone at MTC over the coming years to create some great moments.” McLaren chief executive Zak Brown said: “I’m delighted to be continuing our partnership with Oscar through to the end of 2026. “He’s an incredible talent and an asset to the team so it’s fantastic to be committing to each other in the long term. “Oscar is already proving what he can do out on track and has been instrumental in the turnaround we’ve had so far this season.” PA Read More Toto Wolff slams ‘moaning’ across F1 grid after Lewis Hamilton apology Carlos Sainz would be a ‘good fit’ for Audi seat in 2026, says Johnny Herbert ‘Level up’: Lewis Hamilton sends strong message to Mercedes engineers

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Wrexham co-owner Rob McElhenney met with Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag ahead of their pre-season friendly in in San Diego, California, on Tuesday. The pair were seen having a conversation and laughing before McElhenney shook Ten Hag’s hand and wished him good luck for the match. It was his Wrexham side that were victorious, beating their Premier League opposition 3-1 thanks to goals from Elliot Lee, Aaron Hayden and Sam Dalby. The Welsh side will play in League Two next season, after a 15-year EFL absence.

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