BOSS GALLARDO IS ’LOTTO JACKPOT

BRIGHTON defender Ezequiel Schelotto has admitted he’d love to return to Argentina and play for River Plate boss Marcelo Gallardo when his contract at the Amex expires in the summer. Schelotto, 30, an Italy international who was born in Buenos Aires, has been heavily linked with a move back home. He insists there is no truth in reports that a deal is already done – and FIFA’S are allowing clubs to extend contracts for when football resumes after the lockdown.

But Schelotto (left) is desperate to play for Gallardo.

He said: “Which player would not like to be coached by one of the best coaches in the world?

“I raise my hand. Even Pep Guardiola has said that Gallardo is one of the best.

“But I don’t want that to be taken like it’s a fact that now I have to go play with River. I know my name has been mentioned recently, but Gallardo never called me.

“I do not close the door to anyone. If an offer comes it is not up to me alone. I will discuss it with my family and we will see.

“We are very comfortable in England but I have this thorn in me about having never played senior football in Argentina.”

Schelotto moved to Italy as just a teenager.

He signed for Brighton three years ago and returned from a six-month loan spell with Chievo at the start of the season. With close ties to Italy, he feels the British Government underestimated the impact of coronavirus until it was too late.

Schelotto said: “They thought that it would not come, and now we have thousands dead here.

“The Prime Minister said that nothing would happen - and he was hospitalised.

“We must patiently keep this quarantine so the virus stops and we return to normal little by little.”