Predicted Finish: 9th Place (Note: This prediction is not necessarily Ed Aarons’s personal forecast, but rather the average prediction of our writers.)
Previous Season’s Finish: 6th Place
Prospects:
Brighton has had September 1st marked on their calendar for quite some time now. On this day, Roberto De Zerbi’s team will not only discover their opponents in the Europa League group stage, but also bring relief to their manager as the transfer window comes to a close. While the loss of Alexis Mac Allister to Liverpool has already been felt, the uncertainty surrounding the future of midfielder Moisés Caicedo has kept Brighton fans distracted. Nevertheless, the squad, which has been bolstered by the acquisitions of Brazilian forward João Pedro from Watford for a club record fee of £30m and goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen from Anderlecht for £17m, will need to navigate the challenges of a European campaign in addition to the demanding Premier League schedule. The experience of veteran James Milner, who joined on a free transfer from Liverpool, and Germany midfielder Mo Dahoud, acquired from Borussia Dortmund upon the expiration of his contract, will complement the leadership of captain Lewis Dunk, who recently signed a contract extension. Brighton has faced difficulties in acquiring England Under-21 defender Levi Colwill from Chelsea, although a potential deal may hinge on the outcome of negotiations for Caicedo. Regardless, it will be fascinating to see the development of talented players like Kaoru Mitoma, Facundo Buonanotte, Evan Ferguson, and Julio Enciso as they venture into uncharted territory under the guidance of the charismatic De Zerbi.
The Manager:
Brighton supporters can look back with satisfaction at the decision to replace Graham Potter with the former Sassuolo and Shakhtar Donetsk manager Roberto De Zerbi early last season. The Italian wasted no time in making a significant impact, with his side finishing as the fourth-highest scorers in the Premier League and reaching the FA Cup semi-finals. De Zerbi, aged 44, has expressed his contentment with life on the south coast and has no immediate plans to depart, despite interest from several of Europe’s top clubs. It is imperative for Brighton to retain him for as long as possible.
Leading Shirt Sales:
Kaoru Mitoma, who has become a cult hero at Brighton, may thrive under the guidance of Roberto De Zerbi this season. Japanese fans have been quick to show their support for the winger, with his No. 22 shirt becoming popular both in England and back home. Brighton is currently in discussions regarding a new contract for Mitoma, as they aim to dissuade other clubs from pursuing him. If the 26-year-old continues to display the form that led to his seven Premier League goals last season, speculation about his future is bound to increase.
Folk Hero:
Lewis Dunk’s bond with Brighton fans runs deep. Since his debut in 2010, when Brighton was still in League One and playing at an athletics stadium, Dunk has made over 400 appearances for the club. He is widely regarded as the heart and soul of the team. Dunk’s exceptional performances eventually convinced Gareth Southgate to recall him to the England national team at the end of last season, after a solitary cap in 2018. Unfortunately, he was forced to withdraw due to injury, but a strong start to the new campaign could put him back in contention for the European Championship.
Previous Season’s Results:
Brighton had a remarkable array of rising stars last season. Julio Enciso received the Premier League’s goal of the season award for his stunning long-range strike against Manchester City. Additionally, players like Facundo Buonanotte, Yasin Ayari, and Odel Offiah, who is the nephew of rugby league legend Martin Offiah, are all highly touted for future success. However, the one player who truly stands out is Irish striker Evan Ferguson. Despite only starting in 10 Premier League matches last season, Ferguson managed an impressive tally of six goals, including two crucial strikes against Southampton that secured European qualification. With a five-year contract extension recently signed in April, Ferguson, who is still only 18 years old, has the potential to become one of the world’s most promising young talents if he can stay clear of injuries.
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