Brighton and Hove Albion began their disruption to the Premier League’s elite last season, as they secured a top-six finish at the expense of Tottenham Hotspur. Ahead of their maiden European campaign, there will still be a strong focus on their league season, thanks to their strong depth all over the pitch.
If they can bring the same momentum as they did during the last Premier League campaign, the prospect of success definitely wouldn’t be against the odds. Then the sky would be the limit. Perhaps Brighton could challenge for a top-four spot, or go on to compete with Manchester City for the title. It wouldn’t be an impossibility if they were to bring their top form.
Brighton are realistic challengers for UCL football
Brighton got their season underway in perfect fashion with dominant 4-1 victories over Luton Town and Wolverhampton Wanderers, respectively. In fact, the club headed the league table after the conclusion of the second game week. Since then, questions have been asked about their potential to maintain a challenge for the rest of the season.
The huge spending of other teams competing for European football such as Chelsea mean that it will be an impressive achievement for Brighton to secure any sort of continental qualification through their league position this season.
However, they are not just expected to be in the mix for a place in the second and third-rate competitions, but for the UEFA Champions League. At least according to the outright soccer odds, Brighton is currently offered at a price of 5/1 to finish in the Premier League’s top four, suggesting they have a realistic chance of entering the prestigious competition in 2024/25.
The competition’s new format means that depending on the nation’s coefficient table, there could be five spots up for grabs in the competition next season. This would strengthen Brighton’s UCL aspirations, as improving by just one league position on their 2023/24 finish would earn them a ticket to the biggest club competition on the planet.
A title challenge doesn’t seem realistic at this point in Brighton’s development under Roberto De Zerbi. However, Leicester City’s 2015/16 success showed that anything is possible for a close-knitted unit with a clear philosophy and individual talent in the attacking areas.
The fact Brighton potentially reaching the grand stage of the UCL is even a talking point is a huge indicator of the club’s remarkable upturn in recent years. The team have repeatedly met their ambitions ahead of schedule. Therefore, it’s reasonable that they could follow through and establish themselves on the peak European scene.
With the team’s data-driven recruitment strategy remaining in full flow, Brighton’s improvement is showing no signs of slowing down. Their impressive summer transfer window this year is what has set them up to fight on all fronts once again in this campaign. Regardless of the personnel that comes and goes, there’s a range of key principles that always remain and these principles underpin the team’s success.
Leadership
Brighton are now in a position where they are expected to finish near the top of the table in the Premier League. The only question is: how high can they go? One of the reasons for their stability and sustained success in terms of constantly climbing the league table is the leaders that have been consistently present within their squad.
Technical ability is huge in football, and Brighton has shown they are more than comfortable when it comes to entering markets all over the world such as South America. Brighton has taken risks on unproven signings from all corners of the world, including Lewis Dunk and Solly March. Part of the reason they are so successful is that these key leaders always remain in the starting 11.
The club maintains a roster of raw talent, with these players boasting Premier League experience. Many players from areas of the world like South America join a lesser European league, before capturing the interest of English clubs. But Brighton has the necessary mentors in place to allow fresh players to adapt to the Premier League seamlessly.
The club has also added James Milner to the fold from Liverpool on a free transfer this summer, as their leadership core is just as vital as their talent.
Unrivalled scouting
Brighton’s global scouting network is arguably the strongest on the planet when it comes to unearthing hidden talents. The club are well prepared to deal with any sort of player departure at any point in time. Their ability to repeatedly sign replacements at a fraction of the transfer fees they receive suggests they have shortlists and worldwide connections set up well in advance.
Brighton has excellent individual talents within their squad, but no player is a genuine necessity to their ongoing success. The club clearly values their system and philosophy over any single individual. For example, Marc Cucurella was sought after by Chelsea in a lengthy transfer saga – his move eventually happened but he has struggled at Stamford Bridge. Meanwhile, Pervis Estupinan was his replacement and has excelled, which has placed him firmly on the radar of the elite clubs.
The club seemingly has a revolving door of talent and most make a name for themselves on the South Coast, yet there never seems to be any issue in replacing their services when their time at the club comes to an end.
Brighton’s extensive scouting network underpins all of their success so far, in establishing themselves as a stable Premier League team and reaching the European stage. None of this would have been possible without the constant addition of low-cost signings who have gone on to excel at the club, before bringing in huge transfer fees.
Modern progressive coaching
Throughout Brighton’s recent history, they have been led by modern coaches, who enforce progressive styles of play featuring fearless high-pressing and scintillating possessional play. Graham Potter was the first beneficiary of Brighton’s excellent recruitment, he was treated to a host of exceptional profiles which suited his high-intensity style perfectly.
Some more traditional coaches may have not taken the risk of giving unproven profiles the minutes they needed. However, pragmatism would have never allowed Brighton to unsettle England’s elite clubs. Potter took huge risks in his time as the Brighton coach, which has helped the club to succeed years into the future.
When De Zerbi arrived, he had a host of exceptional talents that had been nurtured by the English coach. They were no longer raw and unproven but were some of the leading players in their positions within the league.
The Italian also plays an excellent possessional style, with a modern approach of relentlessly pressing off the ball. This has allowed him to replicate the blueprint that Potter left behind, thus far. His team plays with a distinct lack of fear even when facing the leading teams.
De Zerbi has helped maintain the environment at Brighton that Potter initially created. One in which players are willing to take risks in their game, with the potential for great rewards in return.
There’s a lack of pressure on players to win trophies at Brighton like there would be at a club like Liverpool. This empowers the team to maximise their abilities on the pitch in an offensive system, without the distraction of potentially falling short.
Brighton will undoubtedly impress this season with their style on the pitch and their subsequent league position. But perhaps they could even reach the European elite of UCL football ahead of the new format in 2024.
