Brighton Player Ratings February 2024
Roberto De Zerbi has rotated more than any other Premier League manager this season. February 2024 ended up being the busiest month of the campaign so far in terms of changes, meaning that 26 Brighton squad members are ranked in the player ratings.
And for all the criticism that has come the way of the Albion boss for the sheer amount of rotation, it actually worked to a degree through February.
The Seagulls hammered arch rivals Crystal Palace 4-1 at the Amex and secured their biggest ever top flight away win when beating Sheffield United 5-0. Two Premier League victories in the space of three weeks represented a big improvement on three in the preceding four months.
Brighton played reasonably well in a 2-1 defeat to Spurs sandwiched between the Palace and Blades games, only to be undone by a 96th minute winner from Tottenham’s Brennan Johnson.
The boot was then on the other foot when Everton visited Sussex and Lewis Dunk popped up with a 95th minute equaliser, helping the Albion avoid their annual home defeat to Sean Dyche managed opposition.
Easily the biggest disappointment of the month was exiting the FA Cup with a tame display in a 1-0 defeat at Wolves. With a winnable home tie against Coventry City awaiting in the quarter finals, losing to the Old Gold has to go down as missed opportunity.
Whilst nobody managed to score a seven or above in the January 2024 Player Ratings, this time around seven individuals racked up greater than a seven. That is a sentence Len Goodman would absolutely love.
Here are your February 2024 Player Ratings from a much improved month for Brighton.
Billy Gilmour – 7.67
Such a good month for the Scottish international that he tops the Brighton February 2024 Player Ratings even after a straight red card against Everton. He was excellent across the Palace, Spurs and Sheffield United matches and then much-missed in defeat at Wolves.
Pascal Gross – 7.63
One goal. Four assists. Nominated for Premier League Player of the Month. Voted WAB Brighton Player of the Month. Says it all, really.
Tariq Lamptey – 7.58
If we had a penny for every time a couple of good performances led to claims that ‘Lockdown Lamptey’ was back, only for him to then go and miss another six weeks injured… we would have a lot of pennies. This time though, it feels different. Four consecutive Premier League starts is the most Lamptey has managed in over two years. Touch wood, but he might actually be back this time.
Lewis Dunk – 7.53
The Albion captain very much enjoyed heading Brighton into a third minute lead right in front of the Palace fans who have spent so many years abusing him. An even more important goal came with his late, late leveller against Everton.
Igor Julio – 7.30
Igor! Igor! Igor! Bit of a surprise to see him riding so high to be honest as he at times seemed to be the defender most impacted by De Zerbi’s switch to a back three. Played well enough in starts against Palace and Everton and off the bench at Bramall Lane though to secure a top five place.
Jan Paul van Hecke – 7.10
Another month, another set of solid performances from the Dutchman who has enjoyed such a good season so far. It remains a source of bafflement that he is yet to be called up by the Netherlands.
Danny Welbeck – 7.06
Dat Guy being in decent form through February was important given the recent struggles of Evan Ferguson. His delicious flicked assist for Joao Pedro to score the fourth goal was the icing on the cake of the Palace rout. Then earned the penalty converted by Gross for the Brighton goal at Spurs.
Facundo Buonanotte – 6.95
Started all five February games in a sign of his increasing importance to Brighton. Scored two very different types of goal, a scrambled effort from a matter of yards against Sheffield United and a rocket into the top corner for the third past Palace.
Bart Verbruggen – 6.92
Most Albion fans would say February 2024 was the month when Verbruggen proved he should be Brighton number one. Was between the posts for both wins and made some important saves against Everton, without which Dunk’s last minute header might have proven pointless.
Simon Adingra – 6.77
Won AFCON with Ivory Coast on Sunday. Partied on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday. Landed back in England on Friday. Scored twice at Sheffield United on Sunday. Some February for the Albion’s African King.
Evan Ferguson – 6.41
The goal drought goes on, although that was partly down to Ferguson only making one start in February. He performed reasonably well in it too, giving the Palace defence plenty to think about.
Kaoru Mitoma – 6.18
Returned from a combination of injury and the Asian Cup by reminding everyone what Brighton had been missing with a spellbinding display at Sheffield United. Unfortunately, he went into the game with a back problem and after playing 76 minutes was subsequently ruled out injured for the rest of the campaign. A huge blow.
Ansu Fati – 5.99
Whilst Mitoma headed back to the treatment room in February, Fati came out of it after a two month spell on the sidelines. Struggled to make the sort of impact expected from a player of his ability.
Julio Enciso – 5.80
The return of Enciso following six months out with a meniscus problem was very much welcome. Unlike Fati, his injury does not seem to have impacted on him mentally and he was soon taking hard hits in what proved a very lively cameo at Molineux.
Pervis Estupinan – 5.48
Not quite sure what has happened to Estupian, but other than scoring two rockets he has been pretty woeful since his own comeback from injury. This was underlined by four of his five Brighton player ratings scores in February 2024 being less than six.
Joao Pedro – 5.24
The word injury is starting to crop up increasingly frequently as we move down the list. And losing Pedro to a hamstring issue has proven one of the biggest blows of the lot. It meant his only February contribution was to score the fourth against Palace with a stunning finish.
Jakub Moder – 5.20
De Zerbi continued to use Moder sparsely on his return from – wait for it – injury. His best showing so far came from the bench in the Sheffield United win, followed by a decent hour or so against Wolves.
Jack Hinshelwood – 5.08
Like Mitoma, February saw Hinshelwood ruled out for the rest of the season with injury. Netted the second against Palace, meaning two of the four goals past the Eagles were provided by homegrown Sussex academy products.
Adam Lallana – 4.88
Still brings worth to the playing side but there can be no doubt his career is winding down now as his game time becomes less and less. Does the summer bring retirement and a move into a coaching role?
Carlos Baleba – 4.87
Even with Gilmour suspended, a lack of other midfield options and such heavy rotation, the second most expensive player in Brighton history did not make a single start through February.
Joel Veltman – 4.61
The form of Lamptey and De Zerbi’s dalliance with three at the back meant Veltman spent the entire month on the bench.
Jason Steele – 4.44
A mixed bag across two starts for the Man of the Steele. Made some excellent saves at Spurs to finish second in the Player Ratings. Followed up with a thoroughly entertaining 90 minutes against Wolves in which he gave away a goal, made a ridiculously good two-footed sliding tackle and then missed a glorious chance to equalise when pushed up for a corner.
Valentin Barco – 4.13
De Zerbi has said that Barco will be given time and patience to adjust to life in England before being thrown into regular football. Did enough on his debut at Wolves to suggest that could be sooner rather than later.
Adam Webster – 4.00
Even though Webster is the only Brighton centre back better suited to playing in a back three than a four, he made just a single start at Sheffield United. Would not be a surprise to see him move on in the summer.
Benicio Baker-Boaitey – 3.07
Looked lively off the bench late on in the FA Cup exit at Wolves.
Cameron Peupion – 2.67
It was something of a surprise to see young attacking midfielder Peupion be handed a full debut at right wing back against Wolves. One weak shot on target aside, he struggled to make much impact out-of-position and was substituted at half time.
The February 2024 Brighton Player Ratings have been formulated through our matchday player scores. To play your part, make sure to follow us on Twitter and leave your post game player ratings in the relevant thread.
