Sussex

Brighton boss Roberto de Zerbi has been speaking to the media before Wednesday's Premier League game against Chelsea at Amex Stadium (19:45 BST kick-off).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Defender Joel Veltman is not likely to be available and could now not play again this season.

• De Zerbi confirmed Joao Pedro and Danny Welbeck are fit but he is unsure how much game time he can give to Welbeck until he is assessed on Wednesday morning.

• Centre-back Jan Paul van Hecke is expected to miss the remainder of the season but Valentin Barco will return to the squad after missing the draw at Newcastle United with concussion.

• On Adam Lallana leaving in the summer: "We will lose a great player and a great man. I have learned a lot from him because of how much he loves football."

• He said Chelsea "are playing well and deserve to fight to reach a European position".

• He confirmed Brighton "tried" to sign Blues playmaker Cole Palmer last summer because they recognised "he could be a top player".

• More from De Zerbi on Palmer: "He is scoring a lot of goals and he is a problem for us because he can start from a winger position or play as a number 10."

• On rivalry with Chelsea: "We are not at the same level as Chelsea if we sell 21 players or coaches to them. We cannot be rivals because they are fighting for different targets. If they are taking our players it is because we are working well and we have great players."

• He said finishing in the top 10 is the club's ambition, especially after "paying a big price with injuries" this season.

Follow all of Tuesday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

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Adam Lallana says he will be "extremely sad" to not have Roberto de Zerbi as his coach next season, describing the Brighton boss as a "genius" and "like an older brother".

"I feel like we've helped each other an awful lot in the two years and I'm extremely grateful for how he's managed me," the 36-year-old told BBC Radio Sussex, after he confirmed that he will be leaving the Seagulls at the end of the campaign.

"At times I can't train every day and my body probably lets me down, but he's been so supportive of me and he's managed me differently to most other players, probably because of the history I've had with injuries and the age I'm at. I know as a footballer that doesn't often happen.

"Our relationship goes beyond player and coach, he's like an older brother to me. To know that next season he's not going to coach me is extremely sad, but I'll be forever grateful.

"I've already said to him that I'll be expecting his door to always be open for me to come back and not just at the training ground, but at his house as well for a couple of Champions League nights or whatever."

Asked what his message to Brighton supporters would be after it was announced he will be leaving the club, ex-England midfielder Lallana said: "Just thank you for all your support in the four years.

"It started during Covid when there were no fans and I think it's been a gradual rise. The club and the supporters have experienced some unbelievable times over the past four years.

"My message to them would be keep supporting the lads, even in tough moments like we've had in the past eight or nine weeks. It's important that they keep sticking with the lads and stick with the manager, because we've got a genius here - there's no other way to put that."

• Listen to Lallana speak to BBC Radio Sussex Sport

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At least one Dutchman had a good time from a trip up north on Saturday. While Joost Klein was disqualified from Eurovision just hours before the show got underway in Malmo, Joel Veltman scored as Brighton drew 1-1 at Newcastle.

Veltman goals are almost as rare as United Kingdom victories in the world's greatest music competition.

His opener at St James' Park was his first goal in 14 months, his first ever away from Amex Stadium, and just his fourth in four seasons as an Albion player.

The reason it was so well received amongst Seagulls supporters was not just because Veltman hardly scores - he is also one of the most popular players in the squad.

He's a defender you can always rely on to drop a 7/10 performance; rarely spectacular but rarely makes a mistake.

Every successful football team needs a Veltman.

You only need to watch Brighton without him in the backline, compared to their defensive performances with him, to realise the difference that his experience and composure brings.

Having cost just £900,000 when signing from Ajax, he ranks as one of the best bargain buys in Brighton history.

Veltman might be underrated by the rest of the Premier League, but his importance to the Albion cannot be understated.

Scott McCarthy can be found at We Are Brighton, external

Image source, Getty Images

Adam Lallana has said the desire to spend more time with his family was the main factor in his decision to leave Brighton at the end of the season after four years with the Seagulls.

Lallana, who turned 36 on Friday, joined from Liverpool on a free transfer in 2020 and he was part of the squad that appeared in European competition for the first time in Brighton's history earlier this season.

He told BBC Radio Sussex: "I've been speaking to my family throughout the year and the biggest influence on my decision was that my kids needed me. The age they're at, I think they just need me around a bit more.

"'I've been quite selfish throughout my whole career really, where they've had to react to my decisions, and it's a time of my life and career where I need to put them first.

"Having said that, it works for both [club and player]. I really want to leave on a good note and thank everyone at the football club for my time here - it's been a remarkable journey."

Lallana has made 103 appearances for Brighton, scoring four goals but has only started 12 Premier League games in each of the past two seasons.

"I've been in talks with Roberto [de Zerbi] for the past couple of months and he expressed his wishes for me to stay and keep playing," Lallana added. "But after taking a bit of time to think about where the football club's at, and myself having been away from my family for the past four years while I've been here, I just feel it's the right time.

"I want to really enjoy my last week, get a couple of positive results and finish the season really strongly."

Listen to Lallana speak to BBC Radio Sussex Sport here

We asked for your views on Saturday's match between Newcastle and Brighton.

Here are some of your answers:

Newcastle fans

John: It seems that Newcastle are unable to play well for 90 minutes. It's either a good first half and a bad second half or the other way round. Too many look like they've run out of steam. At least some bodies are starting to reappear but they're short of match fitness.

Joe: I hope Almiron has played his last game for NUFC - why you'd dive in that situation is beyond me. Could cost us Europe.

Richard: One of those games where you know you ought to have won it but the ball just wouldn't go in the back of the net. I'm not sure I'd even say we were slow or off the pace - it was just not going to happen. I can't fault the effort of the team as they tried but Brighton just held firm, alas. You'll get games like this and at least Europe is still possible.

Brighton fans

Rosie: Shame to see our extremely faint European hopes completely disappear, but at least we can take comfort in knowing that we have ended the season with some sort of pride.

Noddy: If we had a fully-fit squad we would have been top four easily. Both teams suffered injuries and both coped well. Was a game there for the taking by either team. Ref even had a good game. Both pen shouts were both dives and rightly yellowed. Enciso could and should have finished the game first half with the chances he had. Improvement all round.

Bob: A good result, played with a bit more nous. Scrappy but still had our chances. Newcastle struggled to break down our defence and a point was a fair result.

Gary Lineker introduces highlights and analysis from Saturday's eight Premier League fixtures.

If you missed Match of the Day, you can catch up on the action on BBC iPlayer here.

And you can watch highlights of Sunday's games on Match of the Day 2 here.

Also, listen back to Saturday's BBC Radio 5 Live match commentaries in full on BBC Sounds:

• West Ham United v Luton Town

• Nottingham Forest v Chelsea

Brighton boss Roberto de Zerbi is still being considered by Bayern Munich as a candidate to replace outgoing manager Thomas Tuchel. (Sport Bild), external

Albion, Everton, Inter Milan and Wolfsburg are considering a move for 23-year-old AZ Alkmaar and Japan full-back Yukinari Sugawara. (Florian Plettenberg), external

Barcelona boss Xavi has raised uncertainty about Spain forward Ansu Fati's future at the club, with the 21-year-old set to return following his loan stint at Brighton. (Goal), external

Want more news? Read Monday's full gossip column