Brighton midfielder, Adam Lallana has predicted a “challenging” maiden European campaign for the Seagulls.
Brighton will make their European bow this season after having qualified for the UEFA Europa League, courtesy of a sixth-placed Premier League finish last season.
Lallana though missed the Seagulls’ last 23 matches of the campaign across all competitions with a hamstring injury, although he “picked up a slight calf strain” during his rehabilitation which definitely ensured he wouldn’t return until pre-season.
The 35 year-old midfielder though admitted that he had “thoroughly enjoyed” watching his teammates achieve European qualificaton from the sidelines on matchdays.
Explaining his decision to watch his teammates from the sidelines, Lallana commented: “I have learnt from lots of situations throughout my career that where you do get older and your game time becomes limited, you can get frustrated.
“I tried not to be that guy and was there to support the manager. No matter how much you play I think you can still give value.”
Lallana however heads into pre-season knowing that he has a fight to get back into the starting line-up, as he admitted: “I will have a lot of work to do over the summer to make sure I come back in good shape and hopefully I can crack on and have a good European campaign.”
Having never played in Europe before, Brighton now faces the difficult task of managing their workload, with at least six individual weeks where they must play in Europe on Thursday evenings then in domestic league action on Sundays – three days later.
Lallana though knows about the rigors of that schedule from having played 24 European matches during six seasons at Liverpool, especially in 2015-16 season when the Reds finished runners-up in the Europa League despite enduring the Thursday – Sunday schedule for much of that season.
“I know it will be challenging, and you only have to look statistically at teams who have been in the Europa League or the other European competitions and seen their league form suffer,” commented Lallana on exactly how difficult Brighton could find the new season.
Lallana however iterated that he is keen to ensure that Brighton don’t suffer that fate as he vowed: “I’m conscious of that and I’m determined that won’t happen to us.”
Brighton have already began to prepare for a tough campaign with Joao Pedro, James Milner and Mahmoud Dahoud having already completed their moves to the club, although Milner and Dahoud won’t officially be registered until 1 July due to their moves being free transfers.
Milner’s arrival will reunite him with ex Liverpool teammate – Lallana, who is confident that the Seagulls can build upon the positives of the last nine months under Roberto De Zerbi, with the Italian having replaced Graham Potter in September 2022.
Teasing his ambitions with Brighton for the new season, Lallana concluded: “With clever recruitment and with the experience and talented young lads we have in our squad I hope we can compete in all competitions.
“There’s no reason why we can’t have another really good Premier League campaign and challenge in Europe as well.”