Football Season Guide

Brighton and Hove Albion

In


Enock Mwepu (mid) RB Salzburg; Kjell Scherpen (gk) Ajax; Billy Arce (att) LDU Quito – end of loan; Tudor Baluta (mid) Dynamo Kyiv – end of loan; Jan Paul van Hecke (def) Heerenveen – end of loan; Jan Mlakar (att) NK Maribor – end of loan; Jürgen Locadia (att) Cincinnati – end of loan

Out


Ben White (def) Arsenal; Alireza Jahanbakhsh (att) Feyenoord; Mathew Ryan (gk) – released; Davy Pröpper (mid) – released; Jan Mlakar (att) Hajduk Split; Viktor Gyökeres (att) Coventry; Bernardo (def) RB Salzburg; Matt Clarke (def) West Brom – on loan; José Izquierdo (att) – released

Brighton comfortably secured safety last season and they could have clinched a top-half finish too, had they not struggled to convert their chances into goals throughout the campaign. Graham Potter’s side registered the seventh-best defensive record in the league, but their lack of finishing touch prevented them from bettering their 41 Premier League points record, despite earning praise for their attracting style of football. Brighton have not been particularly lively in the transfer window for the time being, as their only notable signing is that of box-to-box midfielder Enock Mwepu, while former Ajax goalkeeper Kjell Scherpen was brought in to cover for Robert Sánchez. The Spanish shot-stopper impressed in his rookie Premier League campaign and earned a call-up for the Euro as Spain’s third-choice goalkeeper. Meanwhile, Yves Bissouma stood out in midfield last season and he is expected to play a key role in 2021/22 too in the event Brighton manage to retain his services, as he has attracted interest from elite Premier League clubs. Ben White will be a huge loss in defence following his move to Arsenal, but Brighton can use the big money they earned to strengthen positions of need, as Potter will look to sign a left winger, a forward and a centre-back to replace White. The fact that Neal Maupay was their top scorer last term with just eight goals indicates that Brighton should freshen up their attack to be even more competitive next season.

Target


Relegation battle will not be that easy this season, but if Brighton manage to keep Bissouma, replace White with a solid centre-back and strengthen their attack, they could aim for a top-half finish.