Roberto De Zerbi is not shying away from his new favourite phrase

Roberto De Zerbi is not shying away from his new favourite phrase as his super Seagulls can soar to new heights… as Brighton’s logistics manager might soon have to branch out to booking flights to Europe

• Brighton have been playing brilliant football under new boss Roberto De Zerbi
• The Italian coach now has fans dreaming of European football next season
• Brighton were held by Crystal Palace but had an incredible 74.2% possession

His fluency in the English language is improving every week and Roberto De Zerbi is not shying away from his new favourite phrase: European football. Asked for his feelings on a pleasing performance but a disappointing draw, the Italian took a glance at Enrico Venturelli, his translator, before laying out his ambitions.

‘We are playing fantastic football — this was one of the best performances in my time here,’ he said. ‘I don’t know how many chances to score we had today but we have to be clear.

‘We have to be proud and happy. If we play like this we can fight for a place in Europe. We are frustrated but we have to be proud because we go back home with more confidence.’

De Zerbi is right. At a glance, this fixture might seem like a mid-table battle. On the pitch, it felt anything but. Brighton have not won at bitter rivals Crystal Palace for four years but rocked up like they owned the place.

The Seagulls had a staggering 74.2 per cent possession — the season high is Manchester City’s 75.4 per cent against West Ham. They played Palace off the park.

‘We are playing fantastic football’: Roberto De Zerbi has been pleased with his Brighton side

Can they achieve European football? It would be another chapter in a story better than most in English football, one that started with the club so nearly falling out of the Football League under ruinous the ownership of Bill Archer.

The Goldstone Ground had been sold without a replacement, and Brighton had to play 70 miles away at Gillingham for two years and then at an athletics track. It was called the Withdean Stadium and it is often used in a slogan, ‘from Withdean to Wembley’, referring to captain Lewis Dunk’s journey from League One to an FA Cup semi-final.

Poker player Tony Bloom, the owner, has taken many calculated gambles at the Sussex club but in De Zerbi he seems to have the perfect storm for success.

And with Liverpool and former boss Graham Potter at Chelsea struggling, there could be a European spot up for grabs. Usually, coaches and players will straight-bat questions on season ambitions but De Zerbi and his players openly discuss their Euro vision.

‘Of course it’s on our mind,’ said Solly March. ‘We need to aim high.’

March, who put Brighton ahead only for James Tomkins to equalise when goalkeeper Robert Sanchez dropped a cross, has scored five goals in his last seven league matches, one more than he managed in his first 156 games.

Asked whether he fancied himself for an England call-up, he replied: ‘Now is the biggest chance I have to do that. I think I have a chance.’

That is part of De Zerbi’s legacy here. He has instilled belief in his squad that they can become better and each player has bought into it.

So as Venturelli’s role as translator becomes slightly redundant as De Zerbi’s English improves, it is a good job he has another role. Venturelli is a logistics guru and looks after travel for the team, including transport and eating arrangements. He might soon have to branch out to booking flights to Europe.

‘Of course it’s on our mind’: Goalscorer Solly March says Brighton are thinking about Europe

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