Brighton FPL Gameweek 8: Hinshelwood has underrated creativity
Before the international break, a stunning second half comeback against Spurs got the Albion back to winning ways. Playing a huge part in Brighton recovering from 2-0 down to win 3-2 were the creative abilities of Kaoru Mitoma and Jack Hinshelwood, both of whom should be in the thoughts of FPL managers going into Gameweek 8.
Mitoma was at his mesmerising best, causing Tottenham problems every time he was on the ball – even in the first half, when the Albion found themselves trailing 2-0 and a heavy defeat looked on the cards.
The Japanese Bullet Train set up Yankubu Minteh (£5.4 million) for the first Brighton goal of the night. Minteh will be hoping to make the scoresheet again against former club Newcastle United on Saturday, showing the Magpies what they have lost after becoming a sacrificial lamb allowing the Toon to comply with PSR.
Georginio Rutter (£5.5 million) scored the second having been flagged in our FPL Gameweek 7 preview. Rutter then went on to set up Danny Welbeck (£5.8 million) for the Albion winner.
Minteh and Rutter represent too cheap midfield picks for FPL managers looking to invest in Brighton assets – although Hinshelwood offers an even better price.
Jack Hinshelwood – £5.0 million
Just 0.2 percent of FPL squads contain Hinshelwood – perhaps reflective of managers being unsure where Fabian Hurzeler will use the 19-year-old thanks to his extreme versatility.
Hinshelwood has started all seven of the Albion’s Premier League matches so far. He began the campaign at left back before moving into central midfield for the 2-2 home draw with Nottingham Forest.
That game with the Tricky Trees saw Hinshelwood score with a bullet header. In addition, the switch to midfield has seen him rack up four shots inside the box and create the second-most opportunities of any Brighton player behind Mitoma.
Hinshelwood showed last season he has an eye for goal, notching three times from only eight starts mainly at right back.
Now an important part of the England Under 21s squad, his star is very much on the rise. FPL managers should invest now to take advantage of his differential power.
Kaoru Mitoma (£6.6 million)
Mitoma claimed his third assist of the campaign when setting up Rutter against Spurs. He also has one goal to his name, a tap in from the opening day win at Everton.
The winger is currently the sixth-best midfielder in FPL for for penalty area touches (44). And he leads the Albion in both chances created (10) and big chances created (three).
Additionally, Mitoma is only bettered amongst Brighton players by Welbeck for big chances (four) and shots on target (six).
Whilst some FPL managers might be put off by upcoming Gameweek 10 and 11 fixtures against Liverpool and Manchester City, the surrounding games carry a lot of promise for attacking returns.
Captaincy
Erling Haaland (£15.4 million) and Bukayo Saka (£10.1 million) remained amongst the leading armband choices last time out, despite both registering their first 2024-25 blank in the Gameweek 6.
Those who stuck with Haaland and Saka received mix rewards. The Manchester City forward was frustrated for a second game in a row.
Saka in contrast bounced back in style with a goal and two assists as Arsenal ran out 3-1 home winners over Southampton. Another south coast side are up next for the Gunners. Saka and co face Bournemouth this weekend.
Yet Haaland continues to remain the most-favoured captain due to travelling to bottom club Wolves. Other contenders Mohamed Salah (£12.7 million) and Cole Palmer (£10.8 million) face each other at Anfield.
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