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The Seagulls set for a first-ever European adventure
For the first time in the club’s 122-year history, Brighton & Hove Albion have qualified for European competition.
Just 12 months ago, under Graham Potter, the Seagulls had enjoyed their best-ever top-flight finish, coming ninth, which surpassed the 13th place finish achieved in 1982.
There were early signs that this season could be even better, with Brighton winning four of their first six matches, claiming victory at Old Trafford before demolishing Leicester 5-2 to commence September.
Four days later though, Graham Potter was gone, poached by Chelsea, alongside head of recruitment Kyle Macaulay and all of Potter’s senior coaching staff.
After that, as a result of Queen Elizabeth II’s passing, and an international break, Brighton didn’t have a game for four weeks, so Tony Bloom and the rest of the board took their time, before appointing Roberto De Zerbi.
The Italian’s very first game at the helm very much set the tone for what was to come, with Brighton involved in a thrilling 3-3 draw at Anfield.
Following the World Cup break, they won seven of 13 matches, losing only twice, scoring three against Liverpool, Southampton and Brentford while putting four past West Ham and Everton
April saw the Seagulls complete the league-double over Chelsea and demolish Wolves 6-0, the club’s second-biggest victory of all-time, only eclipsed by an 8-0 cup win over non-league Northwich Victoria in 2006.
On top of this, the club reached the FA Cup semi-finals for just the third time, going toe-to-toe with Manchester United at Wembley, before being ousted on penalties, following a goalless draw.
Nevertheless, Brighton bounced back well, beating Man United at the Amex, swatting aside Arsenal 3-0 at the Emirates, while a 1-1 draw with Man City in their final home game confirmed a top six finish.
This’ll see the Seagulls feature in next season’s Europa League group stages and, given that they’re projected to be in pot 3, one or two of the competition’s heavyweights will be making the pilgrimage to Sussex by the Sea.
In summary, it’s been an extremely eventful season for Brighton, but they remain a club on an upward trajectory, and getting into Europe is just rewards for their another outstanding campaign.
Can Brighton hold onto their most prized assets?
As has been the case for a few years now, as Brighton continue to overachieve, wealthier clubs want to take their key assets away.
Midfield duo Moisés Caicedo and World Cup winner Alexis Mac Allister are both expected to go, although they’ll only be sold if the buying club pays the price Brighton demand.
Goalkeeper Robert Sánchez is likely to depart too, having fallen out with Roberto De Zerbi, so it’ll be interesting to see if he entrusts Jason Steele with the number one shirt full-time, or if a new edition will arrive.
Meanwhile, they’ll be hoping young talent such as Facundo Buonanotte, Jeremy Sarmiento, Julio Enciso and Evan Ferguson can go to a new level next season.
£30 million has already been splashed on João Pedro from Watford too, strengthening their attacking options.
In a break from the normal strategy, it’s been reported that 37 year old James Milner will arrive on a free transfer, needing 34 more Premier League appearance to usurp Gareth Barry’s record of 652.
Lastly, keep an eye out for Simon Adingra at the start of next season.
The 21 year old Ivorian winger scored 14 goals and provided 15 assists for sister-club Royale Union Saint-Gilloise this season, and could be the next young superstar off the Brighton conveyor belt.
