Man Utd & Liverpool-target Alexis Mac Allister is the 'Argentine Modric'

Sam McGuire

• 4 May 2023 13:30 BST
• 4 min read

Had you been asked six months ago who Brighton’s most in-demand player would be this summer, the answer would’ve been emphatic. Pre-World Cup, every top team was being linked with Moises Caicedo.

Yet now as we head into the final month of the 2022/23 Premier League campaign, there’s a scramble for the signature of his teammate, Alexis Mac Allister.

The 24-year-old impressed last season under Graham Potter but he’s really taken his game to new heights following the appointment of Roberto De Zerbi. Deployed in a double pivot by the Italian tactician, the World Cup winner has been given more responsibility in the build-up phase and, as a result, he’s thriving.

READ MORE: Caicedo set for Arsenal U-turn after admitting 'dream' transfer

He’s averaging 13 more passes per 90 than he was last season while his success rate has risen from 80% to 88%. Mac Allister sets the tempo for the Seagulls under De Zerbi. He actually did the same for Argentina at the World Cup.

The versatile midfielder wasn’t in Lionel Scaloni’s starting XI when the tournament in Qatar kicked off but he finished the competition as a starter as Argentina beat France in one of the best finals ever. He even grabbed an assist, setting up Angel Di Maria as La Albiceleste took a 2-0 lead.

With top teams looking for even more control in the middle third, someone of Mac Allister’s profile has become much more desirable over recent months. Manchester City are believed to be interested as they search for a successor to Ilkay Gundogan, Manchester United want to pair him in midfield with Casemiro while recent reports have claimed Liverpool view the Brighton No.10 as a key piece of their midfield rebuild this summer.

It makes sense, too. The Reds have adopted a 3-2-2-3 shape over the last month when in possession and Mac Allister has the skill set to play anywhere in their new-look box midfield. He’s adept in a double pivot but then he’s just as comfortable playing as a hybrid attacking midfielder.

He said as much recently when asked about his role: “I can play as a six, as an eight or as a 10.”

Mac Allister has also played in wide positions throughout his career, making him one of the most well-rounded ball players in the Premier League. He seems to adapt his game to the position he’s used in, so if he’s pushed in the final third he’ll purposely go searching for space instead of the ball. If he’s utilised in a deeper area, he is sure to get on the ball as much as possible. It seems like an obvious change but many players just attempt to play their own game wherever they are deployed.

Teammate Adam Lallana mentioned this in an interview with Graham Hunter.

The former Liverpool man heaped a lot of praise on Mac Allister but there was a particularly interesting line from the podcast.

“There’s no selfishness, at all, in the way he plays.”

Alexis compared to Modric

For someone so good in possession, it would be easy for him to do too much on the ball. But Mac Allister has a subtleness to his game that allows him to just do enough to impact proceedings without becoming a black hole.

Lallana went on to say a number of other positive things about his midfield partner.

“He’s a player that is so pure in how he plays, how he lends the football, and how he uses others. If you understand football like Alexis Mac Allister, you can play anywhere. He’s not the quickest and he’s not the strongest but it doesn't matter because up here, he’s like [Luka] Modric. He’s so smart. He knows that the football is faster than anyone.”

This alone is enough insight into why three of the top teams in England are rumoured to be courting him. Why wouldn’t you want your own Modric?

Despite only signing a new deal in October 2022, Mac Allister is expected to be available for a fairly reasonable fee. Reports seemed to suggest that the deal was signed to not only protect his value, to ensure the team that gave him a chance in Europe is well compensated, but to also allow him to leave on good terms when he decided it was time to move on.

He is believed to be available for around €65 million. It may seem a little steep but he’s a 24-year-old World Cup winner with Premier League experience. Enzo Fernandez, his compatriot, went for €121m in January having spent just six months in Europe.