Roberto De Zerbi has backed Albion's World Cup winner to cope with his new-found global fame.

Alexis Mac Allister will be the centre of greater attention and expectation than ever after he helped Argentina win gold in Qatar.

But head coach De Zerbi said: “I think he has to only enjoy it. To play like he did before.

“It is difficult for sure but it is better if you won the World Cup, it is one step more, not one step less.

“For this he has to be relaxed, to enjoy, and help us but we have to help him.

“I spoke about the family, about home, for this reason.

“But he is a good guy, a smart guy. He is mature.”

Mac Allister had about 350,000 Instagram followers going into the World Cup.

That figure has exploded to almost 3.5 million.

Many of his fans will expect him to move on from Albion but De Zerbi has advised him to stay until at least the end of the season.

He said: “To start again after you won the World Cup is not so easy.

“The last game he played was the final of the World Cup.

“For him, Brighton is his home and to play another six months at home is very important for him in this moment.

“I don’t like to be selfish, because I don’t like to do that with my players.

“But if I can give him a suggestion then I have to tell him what I think. I spoke with him and explained it.”

De Zerbi said Mac Allister was mentally ready to play at Everton tonight but his physical condition would be assessed today.

He added: “We are happy for him and for us he is a very important player. It’s better to play with Alexis than without him.”