Joao Pedro absence explained as Brighton's record signing misses out at Wolves
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Albion’s record signing looked sharp in pre-season and also scored his first Premier League goal for Brighton from the spot during the 4-1 win against Luton at the Amex last week.
The ex-Watford man however was one of three changes for the trip to face Gary O’Neil’s Wolves as Julio Enciso came in for Pedro. Fit-again defender Adam Webster was selected ahead of Jan Paul van Hecke and ex-Chelsea man Billy Gilmour was in from the start in favour of Mo Dahoud, who had started against the Hatters in midfield.
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Hide AdThe Pedro decision was the main talking point but De Zerbi has a number of options in attacking areas and is looking for his strikers to be more ruthless in front of goal.
"This year I am really lucky to have a very important squad," The Italian said just ahead of kick-off. "Every player is inside the project, the mentality. There are many players of the same level and I have a choice depending on the week of work, depending on their physical and mental condition.
"We have to improve to score many goals. But I am positive because we are improving and reaching a higher level."
On Friday, speaking on Pedro at the press conference prior to the match, De Zerbi added: “Joao Pedro is a great player... I want him to think in his head to [represent] the Brazilian national team.
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Hide Ad"He is a great player, already a great player, but I would like him to improve his mentality. If he can score three goals in a game, he has to score three goals in a game.
"When he loses the ball, he has to work harder but he is not a complete player yet... but I would like him to progress and reach his potential, like [I do with] Evan Ferguson.”