Brighton and Hove Albion 2024/25 season

The Boy

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Brighton and Hove Albion
New manager and our biggest summer spend ever at 75 million makes for an interesting season. Hurzeler is younger than quite a few of our players, he’s seven years younger than Milner! But an exciting appointment and with no Europe this year he gets the chance to really work with the team to bed in his style.

Out of the new signings Yankuba Minteh has had a great preseason and I’d expect him to start against Everton, Wieffer is our new midfield powerhouse and Gross replacement. Gross is a mssive loss and I would have loved him to stay for another season, but we’ll see how a midfield of Wieffer and Baleba work out. It looks like Gilmour is leaving as well, which is also a shame.

Last season was wrecked by injuries and the fall out between the manager and the board. This season we’ve hired new senior medical staff and revamped that department.

I have no idea what to expect from us this year but I expect our line up against Everton will be:

Steele
Veltman Dunk Van Hecke Barco
Baleba Wieffer
Minteh Pedro Mitoma
Wellbeck​

Let’s hope there is no truth in the rumours of you and Chelsea both going for Ferguson!
 
Is Verbruggen not better than Steele?

I know he's just come back from the Euro's - is that why Steele is expected to start or is he generally better? There was a lot of hype around Verbruggen before he joined Brighton and we were linked quite a lot. Can't really say I seen him play too much last season.
 
SambaBoy said:
Is Verbruggen not better than Steele?

I know he's just come back from the Euro's - is that why Steele is expected to start or is he generally better? There was a lot of hype around Verbruggen before he joined Brighton and we were linked quite a lot. Can't really say I seen him play too much last season.
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Vebruggen will definitely be 1st choice this season but believe he's injured for the first few months of the season.

Genuinely not sure what to expect from Brighton this season but really excited to see what Hurzeler is all about. Hoping I can get to the Amex this season.
 
The Boy said:
New manager and our biggest summer spend ever at 75 million makes for an interesting season. Hurzeler is younger than quite a few of our players, he’s seven years younger than Milner! But an exciting appointment and with no Europe this year he gets the chance to really work with the team to bed in his style.

Out of the new signings Yankuba Minteh has had a great preseason and I’d expect him to start against Everton, Wieffer is our new midfield powerhouse and Gross replacement. Gross is a mssive loss and I would have loved him to stay for another season, but we’ll see how a midfield of Wieffer and Baleba work out. It looks like Gilmour is leaving as well, which is also a shame.

Last season was wrecked by injuries and the fall out between the manager and the board. This season we’ve hired new senior medical staff and revamped that department.

I have no idea what to expect from us this year but I expect our line up against Everton will be:

Steele
Veltman Dunk Van Hecke Barco
Baleba Wieffer
Minteh Pedro Mitoma
Wellbeck​

Let’s hope there is no truth in the rumours of you and Chelsea both going for Ferguson!
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Is Ferguson injured at the moment? Surely he’d be first choice centre forward?
 
The Purley King said:
Is Ferguson injured at the moment? Surely he’d be first choice centre forward?
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Yup like Verbruggen he’s injured and hasn’t played in any of the pre season friendlies but apparently he should be back quite soon.
 
What’s the fee for Gilmour?
The Boy said:
New manager and our biggest summer spend ever at 75 million makes for an interesting season. Hurzeler is younger than quite a few of our players, he’s seven years younger than Milner! But an exciting appointment and with no Europe this year he gets the chance to really work with the team to bed in his style.

Out of the new signings Yankuba Minteh has had a great preseason and I’d expect him to start against Everton, Wieffer is our new midfield powerhouse and Gross replacement. Gross is a mssive loss and I would have loved him to stay for another season, but we’ll see how a midfield of Wieffer and Baleba work out. It looks like Gilmour is leaving as well, which is also a shame.

Last season was wrecked by injuries and the fall out between the manager and the board. This season we’ve hired new senior medical staff and revamped that department.

I have no idea what to expect from us this year but I expect our line up against Everton will be:

Steele
Veltman Dunk Van Hecke Barco
Baleba Wieffer
Minteh Pedro Mitoma
Wellbeck​

Let’s hope there is no truth in the rumours of you and Chelsea both going for Ferguson!
Click to expand...
 
The Boy said:
New manager and our biggest summer spend ever at 75 million makes for an interesting season. Hurzeler is younger than quite a few of our players, he’s seven years younger than Milner! But an exciting appointment and with no Europe this year he gets the chance to really work with the team to bed in his style.

Out of the new signings Yankuba Minteh has had a great preseason and I’d expect him to start against Everton, Wieffer is our new midfield powerhouse and Gross replacement. Gross is a mssive loss and I would have loved him to stay for another season, but we’ll see how a midfield of Wieffer and Baleba work out. It looks like Gilmour is leaving as well, which is also a shame.

Last season was wrecked by injuries and the fall out between the manager and the board. This season we’ve hired new senior medical staff and revamped that department.

I have no idea what to expect from us this year but I expect our line up against Everton will be:

Steele
Veltman Dunk Van Hecke Barco
Baleba Wieffer
Minteh Pedro Mitoma
Wellbeck​

Let’s hope there is no truth in the rumours of you and Chelsea both going for Ferguson!
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Why do you want rid of Ferguson? Do you think he's not as good as first expected?
On another note how good is Baleba? Think he'd be a good Ugarte alternative? I see he played LB in pre-season
 
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Always love assessing Brighton.

I think they're like most teams outside the top 3, experienced backline (when everyone is fit) and loads of exciting options at 10 and out wide. However central midfield is a massive downgrade from two years ago when it was Caciedo, Alexis Mac and Gross.

All gone and seems Gilmour might leave still. Solly March returning from an ACL and not sure why Milner's deal was extended when he's nearly 40 so think that will be a problem area and stop you challenging for Top 8.

Bottom half again. If it clicks though Mitoma-Pedro-Mineth is a very exciting three off the main CF and also have likes of Enciso and Adingra in reserve.
 
Wouldn't be surprised if next season was a bit of a struggle, momentum has left a bit so dropping to Palace / Fulham territory seems a decent possibility. Could be hard job for the new coach.
I've heard good things about wiefer.
 
UpWithRivers said:
Why do you want rid of Ferguson? Do you think he's not as good as first expected?
On another note how good is Baleba? Think he'd be a good Ugarte alternative? I see he played LB in pre-season
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Certainly don’t want to get rid of Ferguson, I’d happily have him stay his whole career.

As for Baleba, this could be a huge season for him, he’s raw at the moment but gaining experience all the time and has the potential to be at least as good for us as Caicedo was.
 
Is Barco expected to start the whole season? Or do they expect Estupinan to come into the starting 11?
 
Gene Loblaw said:
Is Barco expected to start the whole season? Or do they expect Estupinan to come into the starting 11?
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Estupinan will be first choice when he’s fit, but Barco looks promising.
 
FootballHQ said:
Always love assessing Brighton.

I think they're like most teams outside the top 3, experienced backline (when everyone is fit) and loads of exciting options at 10 and out wide. However central midfield is a massive downgrade from two years ago when it was Caciedo, Alexis Mac and Gross.

All gone and seems Gilmour might leave still. Solly March returning from an ACL and not sure why Milner's deal was extended when he's nearly 40 so think that will be a problem area and stop you challenging for Top 8.

Bottom half again. If it clicks though Mitoma-Pedro-Mineth is a very exciting three off the main CF and also have likes of Enciso and Adingra in reserve.
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I was on the Caceido train and I feel like Baleba could be another dominant figure in midfield. Watching him towards the end of the season when he'd settled more, i was impressed. Wieffer is highly rated too, so they should be better than last season I think. I also wouldn't be surprised to see Barco move into midfield in some format, he's a cracking player and too good to sit on the bench, but Estupinan obviously also should be starting and I feel it's more suited at LB/LWB.

It's going to be interesting to see how they get on. If they stay relatively injury free then I think they'll surprise a few.
 
pocco said:
I was on the Caceido train and I feel like Baleba could be another dominant figure in midfield. Watching him towards the end of the season when he'd settled more, i was impressed. Wieffer is highly rated too, so they should be better than last season I think. I also wouldn't be surprised to see Barco move into midfield in some format, he's a cracking player and too good to sit on the bench, but Estupinan obviously also should be starting and I feel it's more suited at LB/LWB.

It's going to be interesting to see how they get on. If they stay relatively injury free then I think they'll surprise a few.
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Baleba still feels a bit too raw to be a week in week out starter. Actually Dahoud is still there. De Zerbi didn't want him at all and quickly loaned him back to the Bundesliga but a German manager should give him more of a chance as he is a decent player and experienced.
 
FootballHQ said:
Baleba still feels a bit too raw to be a week in week out starter. Actually Dahoud is still there. De Zerbi didn't want him at all and quickly loaned him back to the Bundesliga but a German manager should give him more of a chance as he is a decent player and experienced.
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I do think Baleba is a bit raw still, but at the end of the season he was looking a lot more settled and influential on games. I'm not basing my opinion on the game against us, but as an example I thought he was one of, if not the best player on the pitch in that game.
 
Interested to see how Minteh looks. I think this might be a bounce back season for Mitoma and I could see Adingra improving. Biggest loss is by far Gross. Hugely underrated player and not sure you'll be able to easily replace his creativity.
 




Now I really have no idea of our best team or how we’ll line up!
 
The Boy said:




Now I really have no idea of our best team or how we’ll line up!
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You're going to have lots of options. Should help you if you hit another sticky patch with injuries. If the new man can make it click it won't be surprising if you're challenging those European spots again.
 
SilentWitness said:
You're going to have lots of options. Should help you if you hit another sticky patch with injuries. If the new man can make it click it won't be surprising if you're challenging those European spots again.
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It makes for an interesting trip to yours on Saturday!
 
The Boy said:
It makes for an interesting trip to yours on Saturday!
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Interesting game. We should have a fairly settled side from last season with only a few changes to it and you've got a new manager with a bunch of new players/big losses in regards to Gross etc. A game that's hard to call but feels like Minteh is nailed on to score given our interest in him.
 
Being rid of De Zerbi gives them a chance to turn it around. I was convinced he was gonna take them down, after undoing a lot of Potter's good work.
 
I’m split over our summer transfer business. It’s by far and away the most we’ve ever spent in a transfer window and though it’s no threat to our finances given previous sales, it feels like a step away from our normal strategy.

On the other hand, the players we’re bringing in look great and our squad is now stocked with talent. I can’t wait for the season to start now!
 
The Boy said:




Now I really have no idea of our best team or how we’ll line up!
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How good is he?

£40m seems like an absurd fee for a player from the championship. I can see he has some Bundesliga experience.
 
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How did Brighton do for preseason?

Edit :- just checked they had some really big score for preseason 4-0 vs Villarreal
 
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Strange signing. He's a decent player but only scored 6-7 at championship level so 40m for a position you're already stacked in?

If Ferguson gets going then Joao Pedro will play as 10. You have Enciso aswell unless he looks finished after his ACL but surely too early to tell. Guess you've loaned Buaonette to Leicester to sell eventually but feels a bit early to give up on him.

As I've said before Brighton's downfall this season will be not strengthening central midfield enough compared to what they're spending for the three positions behind the main striker.
 
I've watched highlights of a few of Brighton's pre season games but I could not even begin to predict what the starting xi will look like :lol:
 
FootballHQ said:
Strange signing. He's a decent player but only scored 6-7 at championship level so 40m for a position you're already stacked in?

If Ferguson gets going then Joao Pedro will play as 10. You have Enciso aswell unless he looks finished after his ACL but surely too early to tell. Guess you've loaned Buaonette to Leicester to sell eventually but feels a bit early to give up on him.

As I've said before Brighton's downfall this season will be not strengthening central midfield enough compared to what they're spending for the three positions behind the main striker.
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Baleba has an extra year of experience and they've signed a highly rated young midfielder in Wieffer. Dahoud, I believe, is returning, along with Alzate, Kozlowski (not sure how good either are) and another young midfielder they signed from Sweden.
 
pocco said:
Baleba has an extra year of experience and they've signed a highly rated young midfielder in Wieffer. Dahoud, I believe, is returning, along with Alzate, Kozlowski (not sure how good either are) and another young midfielder they signed from Sweden.
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Dahoud is unwanted and we’re trying to shift him, Alzate has been released, Kozlowski has been sold to Gaziantep in Turkey.

But you’re right about Baleba, this could be a huge season for him. We’ve also signed Mats Wieffer, Brajan Gruda, Malick Yalcouye (I’m guessing he is the Swedish one you mentioned, though we bought him Gothenburg, he is from the Ivory Cost and is more one for the future) and Yasin Ayari is back from loan.

We also have Milner and Moder. And though it looks like he’s going to Napoli, Gilmour is still in the squad.

So we have quite a few central midfielders.
 
The Boy said:
Dahoud is unwanted and we’re trying to shift him, Alzate has been released, Kozlowski has been sold to Gaziantep in Turkey.

But you’re right about Baleba, this could be a huge season for him. We’ve also signed Mats Wieffer, Brajan Gruda, Malick Yalcouye (I’m guessing he is the Swedish one you mentioned, though we bought him Gothenburg, he is from the Ivory Cost and is more one for the future) and Yasin Ayari is back from loan.

We also have Milner and Moder. And though it looks like he’s going to Napoli, Gilmour is still in the squad.

So we have quite a few central midfielders.
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Why are you happy to let Gilmour go?
 
pocco said:
Pretty wild take.

He did a great job in his first season, finishing in the European spots for the first time, and they were annihilated by injuries last season.
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Spot on
 
SilentWitness said:
Why are you happy to let Gilmour go?
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I’m guessing he is behind Wieffer and Baleba and won’t get much game time, which is rubbish when you’re 23, so we’re letting him leave.

I’ll be very sorry to see him go, but he is a bit erratic, he can have great games but can also be dominated quite easily and disappear completely.
 


Are they selling a big player I wonder or just spending the money they've pocketed over recent years.
 
The Boy said:
I’m guessing he is behind Wieffer and Baleba and won’t get much game time, which is rubbish when you’re 23, so we’re letting him leave.

I’ll be very sorry to see him go, but he is a bit erratic, he can have great games but can also be dominated quite easily and disappear completely.
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That's fair. I'm also interested as I thought De Zerbi left because you weren't spending much money but it seems you're now spending a fair chunk of money? Unless it was more De Zerbi wanting to have more say in those that were signed.
 
SilentWitness said:
That's fair. I'm also interested as I thought De Zerbi left because you weren't spending much money but it seems you're now spending a fair chunk of money? Unless it was more De Zerbi wanting to have more say in those that were signed.
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Definitely the latter, Dahoud was a De Zerbi signing for instance and we were a bit burnt there as he was rubbish and then De Zerbi stopped playing him and sent him on loan.

I am shocked by the amount we've spent though over a hundred million this summer and more if we buy the Leeds striker for 40M, it's a big step away from our usual dealings.
 
40m is a totally shocking price for Rutter.

Even 20m would be a bit crazy.

I would really know the reason for this transfer.
 
The Boy said:
Dahoud is unwanted and we’re trying to shift him, Alzate has been released, Kozlowski has been sold to Gaziantep in Turkey.

But you’re right about Baleba, this could be a huge season for him. We’ve also signed Mats Wieffer, Brajan Gruda, Malick Yalcouye (I’m guessing he is the Swedish one you mentioned, though we bought him Gothenburg, he is from the Ivory Cost and is more one for the future) and Yasin Ayari is back from loan.

We also have Milner and Moder. And though it looks like he’s going to Napoli, Gilmour is still in the squad.

So we have quite a few central midfielders.
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Gruda is not a central midfielder.
 
pocco said:
Pretty wild take.

He did a great job in his first season, finishing in the European spots for the first time, and they were annihilated by injuries last season.
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Wrecked their defence. Was only getting around a point a game the vast majority of last season. It would have ended in tears had he stayed around.
 
The Boy said:
Dahoud is unwanted and we’re trying to shift him, Alzate has been released, Kozlowski has been sold to Gaziantep in Turkey.

But you’re right about Baleba, this could be a huge season for him. We’ve also signed Mats Wieffer, Brajan Gruda, Malick Yalcouye (I’m guessing he is the Swedish one you mentioned, though we bought him Gothenburg, he is from the Ivory Cost and is more one for the future) and Yasin Ayari is back from loan.

We also have Milner and Moder. And though it looks like he’s going to Napoli, Gilmour is still in the squad.

So we have quite a few central midfielders.
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Moder had an ACL and were trying to flog him to Leicester in a swop for KDH before Chelsea came in last minute.

I just think compared to two years ago the options have massively diminished and it's hard to beat decent teams in the prem if your central midfield area isn't strong.

Our results at Villa dipped whenever Boubacar Kamara was missing last season and have to see how we get on without Luiz aswell.
 
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