Premier League club confident of keeping 24-year-old Chelsea target after World Cup success

Brighton are confident they can rebuff interest in Chelsea target Alexis Mac Allister

According to Football.London, Brighton and Hove Albion are confident that they can rebuff interest from clubs in Chelsea target Alexis Mac Allister during the January transfer window.

Mac Allister was part of the Argentina squad that won the World Cup. He was one of their better players and assisted the second goal scored by Angel di Maria in the final.

In the last few days, it was reported in The Times that Chelsea could turn to sign the Brighton midfielder if they fail in their attempts to acquire the services of fellow Argentine Enzo Fernandez from Benfica.

Antoine Griezmann of France with Alexis Mac Allister of Argentina at the 2022 FIFA World Cup final.
Brighton are confident they can rebuff interest from Chelsea target Alexis Mac Allister. (Photo by KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP via Getty Images)

Before the World Cup, Mac Allister signed a new contract with the Seagulls. His current deal runs at the Amex Stadium until the summer of 2025 (Transfermarkt). That could be one of the main reasons behind their confidence in rebuffing interest from clubs this month.

The 24-year-old is a versatile midfield player who can operate as a box-to-box midfielder, defensive midfielder and attacking midfielder. He is excellent on the ball, works hard off the ball and has a creative part to his game which is a great package.

Chelsea have lacked an all-action midfield player in their squad in the recent past. The continual absence of N’Golo Kante due to several injury issues has hindered the team from having a dynamic midfielder who can be good on and off the ball.

Argentina's midfielder #20 Alexis Mac Allister and France's forward #12 Randal Kolo Muani fight for the ball during the Qatar 2022 World Cup football final match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium in Lusail, north of Doha on December 18, 2022. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP) (Photo by FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images)
Argentina’s midfielder Alexis Mac Allister and France’s forward Randal Kolo Muani. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP) (Photo by FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images)

Mac Allister can do all the ‘dirty work’ for the team and has the technical prowess to cut through opposition defences with key passes and assists.

Although Brighton are confident of keeping him, it might not be for long because of the consistency and quality shown by the player in the last year or so.

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If the Fernandez deal does not materialise, Chelsea are right to keep tabs on the 24-year-old and potentially make a move for him this month.