Roberto De Zerbi loved seeing James Milner stand up for a young team-mate.

The former Liverpool man stepped in when Julio Enciso came in for some rough treatment in the friendly against Rayo Vallecano.

Milner waded in, pushing the Rayo player away and making his presence felt.

Asked whether he enjoyed that moment, De Zerbi said with a grin: “What do you think? Yes!”

De Zerbi said it did not necessarily show Milner would play a father-figure type role with his new club, adding: “It’s football, it is one part of football.”

But the Seagulls boss sees Milner quickly becoming an important player for Albion.

He said: “I think Adam Lallana is very important for him to explain the new club but he is a top, top, top, top player, and top players are top players because they are smarter and faster to learn situations.

“I think he will be very important for Brighton.”