Brighton must focus on three positions and these players if transfer plans are scaled back

Brighton will no doubt be rethinking their transfer strategy as the financial realities of coronavirus grips the world and Premier League football.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Brighton technical director Dan Ashworth recently stated that Albion work to two transfer scenarios. The first and optimistic one is that the season goes well and Graham Potter maintains Brighton's status in the Premier League.

The second is more pessimistic and will prepare the club for a drop into the Championship - it's a reality that probably 12 out of the 20 top flight clubs have to consider.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

This time however Ashworth and the Brighton hierarchy plan for a third scenario: a post covid-19 window - assuming the transfer window will even re-open in the summer.

Brighton and Hove Albion head coach Graham PotterBrighton and Hove Albion head coach Graham Potter
Brighton and Hove Albion head coach Graham Potter

Every industry across the globe faces a period of huge uncertainty. Albion chairman Tony Bloom previously stated he believes transfer fees will drop and that it will not be a 'sellers' market' when football resumes.

Brighton predicted losses this season even before the pandemic struck and they have now been forced to reassess further.

Playing behind closed doors and the threat of having to pay back huge chunks of TV revenue is a financial blow for Albion, whose players have remained on full pay throughout this period.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The last time they received matchday income from the Amex was the 1-0 home loss to Crystal Palace back in February and the last time the played competitive football was the 0-0 draw at Wolves on March 7.

Brighton continue to calculate their losses and any preliminary negotiations for new signings will likely have to start again as financial realities kick-in.

Some money will likely be spent but certainly not on the scale of previous seasons and many feel the football market could be dominated by swaps and loans rather than hefty transfer fees.

Despite a lowly position in the Premier League, in terms of player contracts, Albion are quite well placed.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Only Leon Balogun, Ezequiel Schelotto and Beram Kayal are out of contract this summer. While key players such as Lewis Dunk, Dan Burn, Davy Propper, Aaron Mooy and Neal Maupay all have plenty of time remaining on their contracts.

In many cases the coronavirus has forced businesses to streamline, focus on their priorities and for Brighton that could well mean quality arrivals over quantity.

So which areas should Albion address?

In goal Maty Ryan has once again been excellent and defensively they are well covered with Dunk, Adam Webster, Shane Duffy, Burn all very capable Premier League centre halves.

Add to that Ben White returning from his successful loan spell at Leeds, and Potter's men looked well stocked in that area.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Tariq Lamptey, a £3m arrival from Chelsea last January (that feels like a long time ago now) will provide competition on the right for the steady Martin Montoya.

Central midfield looks pretty strong with the likes of Propper and Dale Stephens, while Yves Bissouma was also starting to look impressive and gain the trust of Potter just before the league suspension.

Alexis MacAllister adds another dimension, alongside reliable performers Aaron Mooy and Pascal Gross. Potter also rated Steven Alzate as his player of the season so far and the Colombian could well improve further next season having gained vital experience.

Leandro Trossard and Aaron Connolly will also be better after a first season in the PL, as will Maupay who has a decent return of eight goals following his switch from Brentford last summer.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Where Brighton need to focus is on a striker to support Maupay. Glenn Murray's minutes will likely be limited next season as he turns 37 in September.

Albion have been linked with Club Brugge striker Emmanuel Dennis, while QPR's Eberechi Eze and Brentford's Ollie Watkins have both impressed and scored regularly in the Championship this season.

Eze, 21, has been particularly impressive with 12 goals and eight assists for QPR. His speed would also be an asset to a Brighton team with plenty of technicians but little in terms of blistering pace.

A left back to provide for Dan Burn and central midfielder could also be on the radar and if Aston Villa were relegated a double swoop for John McGinn, 25, and left back Matt Targett, 24 would be good business.

Both have performed well for Villa and both would be great additions in key areas of Potter's squad.