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Brighton & Hove Albion Team Preview

Brighton & Hove Albion


It’s been a successful first season in the Premier League for Brighton. A team that set up a target to avoid relegation, achieved it successfully and have been a very tough side to play against, especially at their own home as their home form was the biggest key to their success, even teams such as Arsenal, Manchester United and Tottenham have came away without a win playing at Brighton. Now this year, the target stays the same. Brighton are expected to be towards the bottom half of the league and their fans will be hoping that they can have another successful season by staying up in the Premier League. During the transfer window, Brighton have definitely strengthened at the back and up front. They have signed a very talented Alireza Jahanbakhsh from AZ Alkmaar, he scored 21 goals and got 12 assists in the Eredivisie last season and will add the much needed creativity that Brighton need to get goals, they have really struggled to do that playing away from home and it’s something Alireza can help them out with. Another key signing was Leon Balogun, the Nigerian international played in the World Cup, he will give Brighton more depth at the back. And finally, they also signed a former Valencia man Martin Montoya to improve depth at right back (another player that could impact Brighton’s successes). Other than that, Brighton have pretty much signed a lot of fringe players and released quite a lot of fringe players. Brighton’s biggest weakness last season was away form as they were rock bottom, but as mentioned they are a rock at home and it should be no different this season. If Brighton can be at least a little bit better playing away from home they should have no trouble of staying up. They are for sure good enough to stay up after making a few really good signings which should strengthen the squad in the upcoming season.


Transfers


In – Leon Balogun, Alireza Jahanbakhsh, Joseph Tomlison, Florin Andone, Jason Steele, Bernando Fernandes da Silva Junior, Hugo Keto, David Button, Yves Bissouma, Percy Tau, Andres Dreyer, Billy Arce, Leo Skiri Ostigard, Peter Gwargis, Dan Burn, Martin Montoya.


Out – Uwe Huenemeier, Steve Sidwell, Jamie Murphy, Bailey Vose, Liam Rosenior, Connor Goldson, Robert Sanchez(Loan), Ben Hall(Loan), Niki Maenpaa, Henrik Bjordal, Christan Walton(Loan), Steven Alzate(Loan), Ales Mateju(Loan), Tom McGill(Loan), Sam Baldock, Jordan Maguire-Drew(Loan), Jiri Skalak, Dan Burn(Loan)


Expectations and Results


Last Year’s Finish – 15th


Target for 2018-19 – Avoid Relegation


Key Players – Pascal Gross, Alireza Jahanbakhsh, Glenn Murray, Lewis Dunk, Shane Duffy, Davy Propper


Manager – Chris Hughton

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