Brighton & Hove Albion

Chris Hughton has been sacked as manager of Brighton & Hove Albion after leading them to a 17th-place finish in the 2018-19 Premier League. 

The club announced his departure on Monday after the Seagulls closed the campaign with a 4-1 home defeat to champions Manchester City:

Brighton & Hove Albion have confirmed that Chris Hughton has left the club with immediate effect.

Hughton’s assistant Paul Trollope and first-team coach Paul Nevin have also left. #BHAFC 🔵⚪️

— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) May 13, 2019

In a club statement, Brighton chairman Tony Bloom cited the side's poor form in the second half of the season that saw them dragged into a relegation battle as the key reason for Hughton's exit. 

After Brighton drew 2-2 at West Ham United on January 2, they moved on to 26 points after 21 matches, 10 points clear of the relegation zone.

They picked up just 10 more points from their final 17 league matches, taking victory in only two more games and enduring a winless run of nine on the bounce to end the season.

Brighton's safety was secured on the penultimate weekend of the campaign when Cardiff City lost to Crystal Palace, but the Seagulls finished just two points above the drop zone and with four fewer than last term, when they finished 15th.

Despite a poor run of results to close the season, Hughton can arguably feel hard done by to lose the job he has held since December 2014: 

Very sad that Chris Hughton has been made the fall guy at Brighton. Kept a thin squad in the Premier League for 2 years, reached an FA Cup semi. Should have been given a chance next season to move the team on with better buys.

— Paul Hayward (@_PaulHayward) May 13, 2019

The 60-year-old departs the club with his reputation intact, though:

Being sacked doesn't make Hughton a failure. It doesn't mean Brighton are calling him a failure. It doesn't mean Brighton are disloyal or have lost the plot. And it might leave all parties better in the long run.

— Daniel Storey (@danielstorey85) May 13, 2019

It will be no surprise if he is back managing in the Premier League again next season as he has shown he has the coaching acumen to maintain a club's top-flight status. 

Brighton & Hove Albion have confirmed they have signed striker Jurgen Locadia from PSV Eindhoven for a club-record fee: 

The full story on Albion's club-record capture of striker Jurgen Locadia from @PSV.#BHAFC 🔵⚪️

Read more 👉https://t.co/KUEtjDWQ68 pic.twitter.com/2GS45tytaQ

— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) January 19, 2018

The 24-year-old has signed a deal that will keep him at the club until 2022, although the club have not yet disclosed the transfer fee.

Per the club's official website, manager Chris Hughton explained why he opted to sign the striker and what he will bring to the club:

"He is a player we have been aware of for sometime, and it’s been no secret we have wanted to add a striker of his type. He is a strong, powerful and quick centre-forward, with a real eye for goal and will increase our attacking options in the second half of the season. Jurgen already has a prolific goal record with PSV in the Dutch top division, and it is one we hope he can continue here with us in the Premier League."

Locadia has scored nine goals and two assists for PSV Eindhoven this season, with the club currently top of the Eredivisie, five points ahead of Ajax.

The Dutchman has been at PSV since 2011 and his record at the club was shown by FootballTalentScout:

Jürgen Locadia is leaving PSV for Brighton & Hove Albion. His all-time stats for Boeren:

7 seasons in the first team
176 games
62 goals
39 assists

Legend. pic.twitter.com/aCu6c6kWs0

— FootballTalentScout (@FTalentScout) January 18, 2018

Dutch football writer Michael Bell said he will be missed by PSV:

Locadia was in the form of his career before getting injured and he will be a big miss for PSV in the second half of the season. Brighton getting a player with plenty of potential. #bhafc

— Michael Bell (@MichaelJBell09) January 18, 2018

Locadia's arrival will be a boost for Brighton who are just three points off the bottom three. Hughton's side have struggled for goals this season and have managed just 17 in 23 top-flight games, only bottom side Swansea City have scored less.

The forward has cost £14 million and is expected to make his debut in February, according to Andy Naylor at the Brighton Argus:

BREAKING DONE DEAL: Jurgen Locadia becomes Albion's £14 million record signing.
PSV goalscorer expected to make his debut next month against West Ham or Stoke on return from hamstring injury.
Wears No.25 #bhafc

— Andy Naylor (@AndyNaylorBHAFC) January 19, 2018

Locadia has also taken time out to reveal his feelings about the move, via Twitter:

First at all.. i want to thank @PSV V for everything! They made me the man i am today. Not only on the field but also off it. They helped me reach this moment. Its now time for a new chapter and im really happy that I am now a @OfficialBHAFC player! 🔵⚪️ pic.twitter.com/kM1thgzaWx

— Jürgen Locadia (@locadiaofficial) January 19, 2018

Hughton will be hoping his new signing can fire the Seagulls to safety and should he return in February it could prove to be a crucial month. The club play West Ham United before games against fellow strugglers Stoke City and Swansea and wins in those games may go a long way to securing their Premier League status.

Mathew Ryan of Valencia has agreed a club-record switch to join Premier League new boys Brighton & Hove Albion.

The Seagulls confirmed the transfer via their official Twitter account as the player signed a five-year contract.

According to the club's website, the 25-year-old goalkeeper will join the south-coast club on July 1, subject to international clearance.

The stopper was on loan at Belgian side KRC Genk at the end of last season and will join Brighton for pre-season after the FIFA Confederations Cup.

Albion manager Chris Hughton was excited by the capture, per the club's website:

"I'm delighted that we've been able to attract Mathew to the club, and he will certainly be an excellent addition to the squad in time for our first season in the Premier League. We're very much looking forward to working with him for the season ahead.

"For somebody of Mathew's age, he has very good experience, having played in the top divisions in Australia, Belgium and Spain. He has also competed in European competition and made a number of appearances at international level."

Ryan has previously won the Belgian Cup and was chosen as the Belgian Pro League Goalkeeper of the Year in both 2014 and 2015.

Manchester United forward James Wilson completed a loan move to Brighton & Hove Albion on Thursday, giving him the chance to continue his development with more consistent playing minutes.

The Seagulls confirmed the news on their official website, via Paul Camillin. Manager Chris Hughton said there were a number of other clubs interested in his services:

James is an exciting young striker, and we hope that this move will prove to be very good for all parties involved. 

He is very highly thought of at Old Trafford and he has been in and around the first-team picture at Manchester United since Ryan Giggs gave him his debut the season before last. 

There was a huge amount of competition from rival clubs to sign James on loan and it has been another great team effort to secure his signature.

According to Jason Burt of the Daily Telegraph, Wilson should relish the chance to work under Hughton:

James Wilson to Brighton is a cracking signing for Chris Hughton, mind. And he's a great coach for the striker to work under.

— Jason Burt (@JBurtTelegraph) November 26, 2015

Wilson is a product of United's vaunted academy and has been touted as a future great after impressing with the youth sides in the past few seasons. He made his senior debut at the end of the 2013-14 campaign against Hull City, marking his arrival on the biggest stage with two goals.

Under manager Louis van Gaal, he saw little playing time in 2014-15, however, scoring one Premier League goal in two starts, per WhoScored.com. He's played just a handful of Premier League minutes this season, explaining why Van Gaal has sent him out on loan.

The decision to temporarily get rid of Wilson leaves United short on available options at the forward position. Wayne Rooney remains the obvious starter up front, but behind him, the only real option the Red Devils currently have is Anthony Martial, who signed during the summer and has impressed early.

The Daily Mail's Oliver Holt isn't too happy Van Gaal has decided against giving the youngster a chance to prove himself an asset:

James Wilson is a great loan signing for Brighton. Not quite sure how it fits in with LVG's commitment to youth, though.

— Oliver Holt (@OllieHolt22) November 26, 2015

With Wilson now unavailable in the short term, one has to assume the Red Devils plan to bring another forward to Old Trafford during the January transfer window, adding some much-needed depth to a squad that has struggled scoring. According to WhoScored.com, four of their last seven matches have ended in scoreless draws. 

The 2014-15 campaign didn't produce the big break many were expecting for Wilson, but the teenager will now have the chance to continue his development with Brighton, who have made a flying start to the 2015-16 campaign.

The Seagulls are currently tied for first place in the Championship, and the addition of Wilson only increases their chances of gaining promotion to the Premier League.

Van Gaal doesn't seem to trust Wilson's ability to make an impact for the Red Devils at this point in time, but if he finds his shooting boots down south, the youngster will make the Dutchman see the error of his ways before long.

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With wayward Aston Villa striker Darren Bent joining Championship side Brighton and Hove Albion on an initial one-month loan deal on Wednesday, this gifts the former England striker a chance at career salvation.

According to Seagulls.co.uk, the 30-year-old has joined the East Sussex side "until the end of December."

The site continues to quote manager Sami Hyypia as identifying that "three years ago he was a regular in the England squad under Fabio Capello; there is no doubting his ability to score goals."

However, Bent's stock has fallen since that fruitful period, and the striker said, again per the Seagulls' official website, "It was no secret I wasn't getting much game time at Villa. I wanted to go and play football."

Bent has made just seven appearances for Villa in the Premier League this season, all from the substitutes' bench, with this totalling just 78 minutes.

BREAKING: #BHAFC have completed the signing Darren Bent on an initial month’s loan until the end of December. pic.twitter.com/vBGQbY7UDe

— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) November 26, 2014

"Given opportunities and playing time I've always managed to score goals and hopefully it can continue,” the striker continued.

It may seem a huge step down from the BBC Sport-reported £18 million transfer (£24 million with add-ons) to Villa Park almost four years ago, but Bent must be pragmatic and use this loan opportunity to rebuild.

Darren Bent

In the pantheon of striking archetypes, Bent is the essential poacher.

The former Ipswich Town man's career can be judged purely on goals, and for the most part Bent has contributed with aplomb at every club he has played for.

According to SoccerBase.com, at Ipswich, Bent scored 47 goals in 122 league games; at Charlton Athletic, 31 in 68; at Tottenham Hotspur, 18 in 60; at Sunderland, 32 in 58.

Hyypia on Bent: His record speaks for itself. He is a top-class striker with a more than 100 Premier League goals. #BHAFC

— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) November 26, 2014

The striker offers little in terms of build-up play, technical nous or tactical flexibility and is barely in the game when the ball is not in the 18-yard box. Bent relies on movement and service.

During the 2011/12 season for Villa, it was revealed, per the Mirror, that "Bent averages just 24.6 touches per Villa game."

In a 2-1 loss at home to West Bromwich Albion, for example, Bent registered the least touches with just 17 but still managed to find the scoresheet, according to data provided by Opta.

With the modern game developing to demand more from the typical forward, and the endurance of England's workhorse Wayne Rooney evidence of this, strikers of Bent's ilk are a dying breed.

However, goals are understandably still considered a premium within football—no side wins without them, naturally—and teams bereft of them on a regular basis, such as Brighton, will always be interested in a player with the reputation of Bent.

What Hyypia will be mindful of, and should look to nurture in tandem with Bent himself, is that the striker has lost his goalscoring touch in recent seasons.

Lost Touch

Compared to his impressive strike rates at the aforementioned sides, Bent's current rate of 21 goals in 61 games at Villa, and a dismal rate of three in 24 on loan at Fulham, outlines the drop-off in form seen in the striker.

When utilised, Bent no longer seems to react on the instinct that he previously employed so effectively, and as a result his goalscoring has slowed immensely.

https://twitter.com/BrightonFanbase/status/537316503541268480

Without this, the striker is a rather redundant selection for Villa manager Paul Lambert.

Gary Johnson of Metro claims that money is behind the striker's downfall, with his various moves seemingly stunting his progress.

Sunderland fan Johnson writes that "it’s strange how money can effect even the most prolific and loved [Sunderland] forward since Kevin Phillips but it just goes to show that money is not always the only path towards progression."

After scoring 32 league goals for the Black Cats, Bent left for Villa after just a season-and-a-half.

However, with former manager Alex McLeish and now Lambert relying on the pacey, counter-attacking prowess of forward options Gabby Agbonlahor and Andreas Weimann, as well as the all-round technical play of Christian Benteke under the latter, Bent's progress has halted.

Facing a substitute's role at best, Bent is right to move on at this juncture.

Salvation at Brighton

As mentioned previously, Bent fits the blueprint of what Brighton have been so desperately searching for this season: a striker that finds the net with regularity.

So far in 2014/15, Sam Baldock, Chris O'Grady, Adrian Colunga and Craig Mackail-Smith have registered just four league goals between them, with the latter now linked with a loan move to former club Peterborough United, per The Argus.

Utilising the invaluable loan market to acquire Bent will be a masterstroke if the striker can accommodate for these deficiencies.

The Sussex coast is the perfect opportunity for the former England international to rediscover his goalscoring form, and clearly this will benefit both parties.

https://twitter.com/22Gards/status/537677058223403010

Borrowing Darren Bent is an indication both of intent by #bhafc and the level of concern at their predicament (cont.

— Andy Naylor (@AndyNaylorBHAFC) November 25, 2014

While his reputation will clearly lift both the Seagulls' squad and their fan-base, his performances can go even further.

If Bent hits the net at The Amex at the rate he was once renowned, Hyypia will relish his side reaching the form that his calibre of squad are capable of, and the striker will begin to repair his diminished value.

It is an unlikely outcome, but the desperately profligate Villa could possibly find a place in their ranks once more for a rejuvenated Bent.

Hyypia on Bent: He wants to play regular games and that is evident in his willingness to step down from the Premier League. #BHAFC

— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) November 26, 2014

For the time being, however, Bent must focus on impressing at Brighton.

Darren Bent may no longer be the striker he once was, or was feted to be, but the new Brighton and Hove Albion man may have appeared in the right place at the right time once more.

Statistics via WhoScored.com unless otherwise specified.

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It is fair to say the first months of Sami Hyypia’s tenure as manager of Brighton & Hove Albion were tinged with disappointment, but a late flurry of summer signings has given the club a new lease of life.

With high-profile sales of Liam Bridcutt, Leonardo Ulloa and Will Buckley, among others, selections of the Seagulls fanbase began to question the club's ambition, with little in terms of reinvestment shown.

Sanctioning the departures of the trio earned the club around £14 million, and Brighton’s Championship rivals have strengthened drastically this summer.

Furthermore, early results did not go the right way as Hyypia began his stewardship on the East Sussex coast, with consecutive 1-0 losses at home to Sheffield Wednesday and away to Birmingham City.

The starting XI for Brighton’s Championship opener was clearly lacking in several positions, namely at left-back, in the midfield and up front.

However, following eye-catching victories over Leeds United and Bolton Wanderers, an air of positivity can be felt at the club.

Central to this are the signings that Hyypia has made in recent weeks, signings which have seen the Seagulls’ first team, as well as the squad on the whole, boosted significantly.

Early acquisitions David Stockdale, Aaron Hughes and Chris O’Grady have been joined by a group of fresh faces. Finally the Seagulls squad looks near complete, and results are evidence of this.

What a difference a week makes.

New Names

Joining the experienced trio are four new names: Paddy McCourt, Danny Holla, Joao Carlos Teixeira and Joe Bennett (above from left to right).

Firstly, despite suffering relegation with Barnsley last season, Northern Irish midfielder McCourt joined O’Grady at the Amex on a one-year deal and brings invaluable experience to the club.

Per WhoScored.com, the 30-year-old scored two goals in 23 Championship games last season as Barnsley failed to extended their eight-season stay in the English second tier.

Able to play on either the left or right wing, McCourt bolsters Hyypia’s squad and will be expected to provide from the substitutes bench this season.

Dutch central midfielder Holla was a surprise signing last week, joining on a free transfer from Eredivisie side ADO Den Haag.

The 26-year-old is another player who brings a wealth of experience to the Brighton squad, and Hyypia holds high hopes for the midfielder, per BBC Sport:

Danny is a player who has plenty of top-flight experience in Holland with more than 200 senior appearances, and that experience is something we need.

Impressive on his debut against Leeds, Holla will continue to progress into a focal role under Hyypia at Brighton.

Joining the club on a season-long loan from Premier League side Liverpool, Portuguese midfielder Teixeira has brought a measure of much-needed excitement to the Amex since his move.

Having scored two goals in three Championship appearances so far, the 21-year-old is also the club’s joint most-creative player, having made six chances for team-mates, per Squawka.

According to ITV, the Brighton manager expects the midfielder to continue his fine form for the team:

Joao is a very good player. We also need quality from the other players and if we manage to do that we'll get Joao on the ball and he'll be dangerous. He likes to be on the ball and do his best work in the final third of the pitch. He's got a great opportunity and we'll push him to improve himself.

As a focal point in Hyypia’s side, Teixeira can flourish.

Finally, following a lengthy pursuit of former Wolves man Stephen Ward, the Seagulls were spurned by the left-back in favour of a move to Premier League newcomers Burnley.

Brought in to fill the gaping left-back void is loanee signing Joe Bennett, a peripheral figure under Paul Lambert at Aston Villa.

Making his debut in the win against Bolton at the Amex, the 24-year-old performed exceptionally.

According to Squawka, the defender made four chances, won 60 percent of his attempted take-ons and boasted an imperious passing accuracy of 94 percent.

Bennett joins the aforementioned as a signing who suits Hyypia’s system adeptly, comfortable on the ball and with a desire to flourish.

Old Faces

The cliche “like a new signing” is bandied about often in modern football, but under Hyypia, Brighton can look for standout performances from their current charges this season.

Scottish striker Craig Mackail-Smith has been hugely unfortunate with injuries since joining the Seagulls in 2011.

After a 13-month layoff after tearing his Achilles tendon, the 30-year-old is finally finding his feet at East Sussex and has Hyypia to thank, according to the club’s official website:

The system is great. The gaffer wants me to stretch the game and allow the ball players to get in there and find my runs. It suits me perfectly and it’s what I've been waiting for, for the previous three years.

Mackail-Smith returned to goalscoring form against Bolton with his first in the league since December 2012 and will be expected to help fill the void left by a departed Ulloa this season.

Elsewhere, the player expected to emerge from the post-Buckley furore is Congolese winger Kazenga LuaLua.

The talented wide player made just 11 starts under Oscar Garcia last season, with a further 23 appearances from the substitutes bench, scoring two goals and making five assists, per WhoScored.com.

So far in 2014/15, LuaLua has made four appearances, with a well-taken free kick against Leeds United the highlight of this early-season run.

With the forward still lacking for Brighton at this juncture, this season can be the chance for Mackail-Smith and LuaLua to really make their mark on East Sussex.

 

What’s more, this renaissance looks to continue, with the Seagulls linked with a move for centre-forward Adrian Colunga, who currently plies his trade with La Liga side Getafe.

The 29-year-old scored just four goals in 27 appearances in the Spanish top flight last season but against lesser opposition in the Championship will look to emulate the success of Ulloa at Brighton.

Central to this renewed positivity are the contributions of Hyypia; the Finn is a manager with a clear identity and is slowly imprinting this on his new side.

It is still early days, but long may it continue.

 

How far are Brighton & Hove Albion away from a complete squad under Hyypia? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

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It is clear that, having fielded natural right-sider Inigo Calderon at left-back in both of Brighton's 2014/15 fixtures to date, the position is a problem for new manager Sami Hyypia.

A 1-0 league loss to Sheffield Wednesday and Tuesday's 2-0 Capital One Cup win over Cheltenham Town have seen the Spaniard perform capably, but it is obvious that this is not Calderon's best role.

Two new options have been tentatively rumoured to be in the Finnish manager's sights in recent weeks: Wolves defender Stephen Ward and Liverpool youngster Jack Robinson.

So, which of these left-back options could solve Brighton's problem?

Key attributes of an effective full-back that I will be considering are the ability to win the ball on the ground and in the air, the ability to read the game and intercept the ball and the ability to dribble and pass to good effect.

Other factors will naturally be considered, such as those from the sphere of mentality. These could include experience and ambition, amongst others.

Stephen Ward

28-year-old Wolves man Stephen Ward spent last season on loan with the Seagulls, and was a consistent, impressive member of Oscar Garcia's back four.

The Republic of Ireland international made 46 appearances, scoring four goals and making four assists.

With Wolves returning to the English second tier this season, Ward could have forced his way back into Kenny Jackett's first team.

However, it seems that the defender is still on the periphery, having not featured in the squad for the club's last two fixtures, first against Norwich City in the Championship and then Northampton Town in the Capital One Cup.

Ward is fairly well rounded as a defender, winning 1.58 tackles, 1.51 aerial duels and making 1.65 interceptions on average per 90 last season.

With an average of 0.45 successful take-ons and a passing accuracy of 79 per cent, Ward is comfortable on the ball.

The highest passing accuracy for a full-back playing over 10 games in 2013/14 was Derby's Andre Wisdom, with 82 per cent.

Furthermore, with international and Premier League experience in droves, and with a knowledge of the club from last season, Ward can be considered a highly experienced signing.

All that seems to be standing in the way of a move to the Sussex coast this season are Ward's wage demands, which could prove a sticking point.

The Wolverhampton Express & Star claim that Brighton are "unwilling to match the Ireland international’s £13,000-a-week salary at Wolves."

Jack Robinson

Liverpool left-back Jack Robinson burst through the Anfield ranks as a 17-year-old, impressing in tandem with Jon Flanagan when then-manager Kenny Dalglish's resources were thin.

Highly rated at a young age, Robinson gave an immaculate account of his talents as he was charged with shackling Arsenal's Theo Walcott in a 1-1 away draw towards the end of the 2010/11 season.

Since, however, the youngster has struggled to find first-team opportunities, and with the imminent signing of Alberto Moreno for the Reds, Robinson's career with the five-time European champions is nigh on over.

Robinson spent last season on loan at Blackpool, making 34 appearances and charting one assist.

The 20-year-old is efficient in the tackle, winning 1.95 on average per 90 last season.

Average rates of 1.41 aerial duels won and 2.27 interceptions made per 90 outline the defender as proficient both physically and mentally.

With the ball, however, Robinson does lack a certain aspect, with 0.35 successful take-ons per 90 and an average passing accuracy of 72 per cent a little on the low side, even for a full-back.

However, it is important to consider that Robinson is eight years Ward's junior and has great scope for development—this is underlined by the youngster's ambition.

The left-back was hoping to follow in the footsteps of a resurgent Red, Flanagan, this season, telling LiverpoolFC.com, "Coming back into the Liverpool team is going to be a big jump for me, but all I can do is go into training, impress the manager and see what [Brendan Rodgers] thinks."

Now behind Moreno, Flanagan and Jose Enrique, this is highly unlikely.

The Verdict

Overall, both options presented would hugely benefit Hyypia's Brighton squad.

It is clear that Ward is a well-rounded full-back, with considerable defensive attributes along with a penchant for attacking bursts. All this is paired with great experience.

Conversely, Robinson is seemingly the more diligent defensive player, marginally let down by his ability on the ball.

However, the player's ambition could see a huge development under Hyypia.

As the Seagulls are seemingly looking at bringing Ward in on a permanent transfer—providing the player's wage demands are negotiated—and Robinson on loan, perhaps Hyypia could look to sign both players.

Ward would provide the experience and quality apparent from last season, whilst Robinson would provide another able body with a raw drive to prove himself. With 43 Championship games to go, Brighton could do with this depth in their squad.

The Wolves man should be first choice, Robinson a close second.

Who would you prefer to see as Brighton's starting left-back this season? Let us know in the comments below.

All statistics courtesy of Squawka.

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