Guardian writers’ predicted place: ninth (NB: this isn’t essentially Ed Aarons’s prediction however the common of our writers’ ideas)
Last season’s place: sixth
Prospects
After their record-breaking exploits final season, the primary day of September has been underlined on Brighton’s calendar for a while. Roberto De Zerbi’s facet is not going to solely be taught the identification of their opponents within the group stage of the Europa League however the supervisor also needs to be capable of breathe an enormous sigh of reduction when the switch window shuts that night.
Having already misplaced Alexis Mac Allister to Liverpool, uncertainty over the way forward for midfield normal Moisés Caicedo has been the one distraction for Brighton followers nonetheless basking of their unprecedented success. The query now could be whether or not a squad that has to this point been augmented with the purchases of Brazilian ahead João Pedro from Watford for a membership file £30m and £17m goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen from Anderlecht can stand up to the rigours of a European marketing campaign alongside the extreme Premier League schedule.
Veteran James Milner, signed on a free switch from Liverpool, and Germany midfielder Mo Dahoud, who arrived from Borussia Dortmund on the finish of his contract, will add some much-needed expertise alongside captain Lewis Dunk, who signed a contract extension in the summertime. Brighton have to this point been pissed off of their makes an attempt to influence Chelsea to permit England Under-21 defender Levi Colwill to affix them on a everlasting foundation, though that would depend upon reaching a deal for Caicedo.
Whatever occurs, will probably be intriguing to see how thrilling skills like Kaoru Mitoma, Facundo Buonanotte, Evan Ferguson and Julio Enciso proceed to develop underneath the charismatic De Zerbi as he leads them into unknown territory.
The supervisor
Brighton supporters have each proper to really feel very smug after they look again on shedding Graham Potter to Chelsea just a few weeks into final season and changing him with the previous Sassuolo and Shakhtar Donetsk supervisor Roberto De Zerbi. The Italian wasted no time making a giant impression as his facet ended the marketing campaign because the Premier League’s fourth-highest scorers and likewise reached the FA Cup semi-finals. The 44-year-old has made it clear that he’s in no rush to go away the south coast regardless of being coveted by lots of Europe’s greatest golf equipment and Brighton shall be determined to hold on to him for so long as they presumably can.
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Leading the shirt sales
Kaoru Mitoma was typically modest when asked about the proliferation of Japanese fans wearing his No 22 shirt at Brighton games last season. “There aren’t many in the Premier League, so I think it means a lot just to be here,” he said. But it’s not just back home that the winger’s performances have caught the eye – Mitoma has been in talks over a new contract following his breakthrough season under De Zerbi as Brighton attempt to dissuade a host of interested clubs from pursuing him. Expect plenty of speculation about Mitoma’s future should the 26-year-old show more of the form that saw him score seven Premier League goals.
Folk hero
“From Withdean to Wembley,” as the chant goes. “Blocking shots, scoring goals, Dunk is one of our own.” It’s hard to overestimate how deep the defender’s bond with supporters goes since he made his debut back in 2010 while Brighton were still in League One and hosting games at an athletics stadium. More than 400 appearances later Lewis Dunk remains the heartbeat of the club, having finally convinced Gareth Southgate he was worthy of an England recall at the end of last season after winning a solitary cap in 2018. He was forced to withdraw with an injury and admitted he had been “playing on adrenaline” but could be back in contention for the Euros with a strong start to the new campaign.
One to observe
There are so many to select from amongst Brighton’s array of rising stars: Enciso picked up the Premier League’s purpose of the season award for his unimaginable long-range strike in opposition to Manchester City, whereas Buonanotte, the Swedish midfielder Yasin Ayari and Odel Offiah – nephew of the rugby league legend Martin – are all tipped for the highest. But it’s the Republic of Ireland striker Evan Ferguson that stands out after his spectacular return of six targets in solely 10 Premier League begins final season, together with two in opposition to Southampton that sealed European qualification. Ferguson, who signed a five-year contract extension in April, doesn’t flip 19 till October and will emerge as one of many world’s finest younger gamers if he can avoid accidents.
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