Brighton outperformed expectations in 2017-18. The target this season is survival, but they have the quality to hope for more.
Brighton were arguably the most surprising team in the Premier League in 2017-18, defying preseason predictions that they would be relegated to finish comfortably in 15th place. They managed only 40 points, but were never in serious danger of going down, and had secured survival before their final two league games, against Manchester City and Liverpool.
Their biggest weakness last season was in attack — they managed only 34 goals overall, the second worst mark in the league excluding the three teams that were relegated — and so it was no surprise to see them break their transfer record on a goalscorer, Alireza Jahanbakhsh, who racked up 21 goals in 33 games of AZ Alkmaar in the Eredivisie last year.
Jahanbakhsh was one of nine signings this summer. The other standouts were Brazilian defender Bernardo (from RB Leipzig), Mali midfielder Yves Bissouma (Lille), Romanian striker Florin Andone (Deportivo La Coruna) and Nigeria international Leon Balogun (on a free transfer). The incomings brought Brighton’s spending since their promotion over £100 million.
The challenge now will be finding a way to put it all together. The Seagulls have proved to be savvy operators in the transfer market, with three of last season’s stars, Pascal Gross, Mathew Ryan and Davy Propper bought for a combined fee of less than £20 million. Gross, in particular, was impressive, scoring or assisting 15 of his side’s 34 goals.
Jose Izquierdo, bought for a then-club record £13.5 million, spent much of the season on the bench, and totaled fewer than 2000 minutes, although he improved as the season wore on and showed flashes of real quality. Jurgen Locadia, bought in January for another club-record fee, also failed to make much of an impact early on, scoring once in six matches.
However, the way Izquierdo and Locadia were handled also exemplified what made Brighton so successful last season. There was no rush to shoehorn them into the side because of their fees, no consternation when they struggled to perform. They were given the time and space they needed, and at least in Izquierdo’s case, it paid dividends as the campaign progressed.
Credit for that belongs primarily to Chris Hughton, who was underestimated by many last season, possibly as a result of prior, less than successful stints with Norwich and Newcastle. The 59-year-old is an understated figure, and he has built this Brighton side in his image. They work hard, they understand their roles and the team comes first, always.
Those values, however, come much easier to players who are fighting for their Premier League survival, and especially those who have helped win promotion to the top flight in the first place. As the makeup of the team shifts away from the core group that won the Championship in 2016-17, Hughton must ensure the spirit of that 2016-17 season remains intact.
Given Brighton’s size and stature relative to most of their rivals, the immediate target will simply be avoiding the drop. But they showed flashes last season that suggest they’re capable of more. Indeed, such is the level of parity outside the big six, five more points would have seen the Seagulls finish in the top half of the top flight for the first time in club history.
Hughton is unlikely to admit it publicly, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t thinking of a little more than reaching the 40-point target. With the defense likely to be strong again, and Gross proving himself as one of the league’s best playmakers outside the big six, if the new signings perform, Brighton could take another step forward in 2018-19.