Guardian writers’ predicted position: 11th (NB: this is not necessarily Ed Aarons’ prediction but the average of our writers’ tips)
Last season’s position: 11th
Prospects
There is a renewed sense of optimism in the seaside air post-Roberto De Zerbi after the arrival of the Premier League’s youngest-ever permanent manager in Fabian Hürzeler. Having led St Pauli to promotion to the Bundesliga last season, the 31-year-old appears to be a smart choice to step into the enigmatic Italian’s shoes.
De Zerbi’s historic achievements in his two seasons included a stirring comeback against his new employers, Marseille, that sparked Brighton’s run to the last 16 of the Europa League. But 11th place was a disappointing end to his tenure after a season severely affected by injuries and it felt like the right time for both parties to move on.
Hürzeler’s task is to build on progress made under De Zerbi with a talented squad that should be well equipped to challenge for a top-half finish, even if matching their sixth place from 2022-23 may be beyond them. The return of Kaoru Mitoma from injury after the Japan forward missed the final three months of last season with a back problem will be vital to their chances. The new arrivals, Ibrahim Osman and Yankuba Minteh, look capable of adding firepower to a squad that already contains Simon Adingra and João Pedro.
Brighton’s real issues may be in midfield, where they have sold the club stalwart Pascal Gross and could lose Billy Gilmour. Hürzeler will hope the £25m Netherlands international, Mats Wieffer, can provide support to the emerging star Carlos Baleba.
Not having to cope with the extra demands of European football should make things easier and Brighton fans will be quietly confident that their eighth Premier League season in succession could be another to remember.
The manager
Hürzeler, described by Brighton’s chief executive, Paul Barber, as “humble, smart, intelligent and a great communicator”, was born in the US, grew up in Munich and also holds Swiss citizenship. He is seven years younger than squad member James Milner, but his career trajectory after 18 months at St Pauli suggests there could be plenty to get excited about. Hürzeler usually favours an attacking 3-4-3 with an emphasis on retaining possession, and described Brighton’s data-driven approach as the “perfect match”. A tendency to pick up yellow cards for his antics on the touchline should be familiar to Brighton supporters after De Zerbi’s frequent outbursts.
Off-field picture
Tony Bloom, for an owner who prefers to keep his cards close to his chest, has been unusually outspoken on the subject of profitability and sustainability rules. “It would be much better if clubs didn’t put the Premier League in the situation where points deductions are necessary,” he said when Hürzeler was appointed at the start of July. Thanks to Bloom investing more than £400m in his beloved club since 2007 and his shrewd ownership that yielded record Premier League profits of £122m last year, there is no chance of Brighton falling foul of any sanctions at present. Supporters will have been encouraged to see some of those profits being used to improve their squad, with more than £75m spent this summer.
Breakout star
“I believe in Carlos,” said De Zerbi of Baleba after a 1-1 draw with Everton in February. “He can become one of the best players in the Premier League in the future, for sure.” A few weeks earlier, the 20-year-old all-action Cameroon midfielder had been described as “not ready for the Premier League” by his manager in a thinly veiled dig at Brighton’s policy of signing young players with potential. Baleba was brought in as a replacement for Moisés Caicedo from Lille last summer, having arrived in France 18 months earlier from his first club in Cameroon. He struggled to convince De Zerbi at first, but there was no denying Baleba’s progress in the second half of his first Premier League season, leading to his international debut in June.
The A-lister
There seemed to be only one option for the destination of Brighton’s pre-season tour, such is Mitoma’s star quality. The club website has been publishing daily videos of the Japan forward’s return to his homeland, with Milner handing the captain’s armband to the 27-year-old in a 4-2 win over Tokyo Verdy in the capital city’s National Stadium. “There’s been a lot of demand on him, to come home and all the appearances he has to do,” Milner said. “Everyone loves him as we do, but it’s been a tough week for him.” Hürzeler has said Mitoma – who previously attracted interest from Liverpool and Manchester City – remains short of full fitness but is hopeful he will be back in full flight for the new campaign.
What they did this summer
Lewis Dunk watched Euro 2024 from the bench as England reached the final but was a highly valued member of the squad off the pitch. There was more action for the Netherlands goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen, although he looks likely to miss the start of the season with an injury. Of Brighton’s South American contingent, Jeremy Sarmiento – who spent last season on loan at West Brom and Ipswich – scored for Ecuador in the Copa América group stage before they lost against the eventual winners, Argentina, on penalties in the quarter-finals, and Julio Enciso’s Paraguay did not reach the knockout rounds. Enciso then went to the Olympics, where his side lost on penalties to Egypt in the quarter-finals.
Source: theguardian.com
