Brighton Player Ratings January 2024
It is amazing what one admittedly horrific game of football can do to a set of Brighton Player Ratings – and you will not find many games as horrific as the 4-0 defeat to Luton Town which rounded off January 2024.
Consequently, nobody scores in the sevens for their efforts through the first month of the year. Joao Pedro gets closest, leading the way on 6.84 thanks to five goals in two FA Cup matches.
It was in the world’s greatest cup competition that the Albion shone brightest. Convincing victories in potential banana skin ties at Stoke City and Sheffield United saw the Seagulls score nine times, leaving themselves just two wins from a return to Wembley.
In contrast, Premier League form was pretty barren. Brighton failed to score a goal in their three matches against West Ham United, Wolves and the Hatters, although they did at least record their first clean sheets of the season in the first two of those fixtures.
The biggest indicator of how much the Luton debacle has skewed the Brighton January 2024 Player Ratings comes from how high up the list those not involved at Kenilworth Road are.
Adam Lallana soars into sixth place despite not starting a single game across the month, whilst Adam Webster hits its highest position of the season in ninth.
Strange month, strange scores.
Joao Pedro – 6.84
No way Pedro! The Brazilian forward completes a double in January 2024, topping the Player Ratings and being voted WAB Player of the Month. A brace at Stoke and a hat-trick at Sheffield United were comprised of an array of different finishes, including two more successful penalties, a couple of clinical efforts and a towering head. Now stands just four short of breaking Michael Robinson‘s Albion record for most goals in a top flight season.
Billy Gilmour – 6.77
The best Albion player on the pitch against Luton, not that it says much. He was superb against Wolves too, covering every blade of grass in a performance as important defensively as it was impressive going forward during a blistering opening 20 minutes.
Jan Paul van Hecke – 6.75
Found himself leading the defence again with Lewis Dunk suspended for the trip to West Ham, showing why so many are tipping him to be a future Brighton captain. His best January moment came when embarking on a 70 yard charge up the pitch at Stoke, becoming the furthest Albion player forward and playing a square pass converted by Pedro for the fourth and final goal.
Pascal Gross – 6.59
Two assists and an assist-for-an-assist meant Gross was the main reason Brighton left the Bet365 Stadium with what Ashley Barnes would call a big three points. His month could have been even better had he scored the best chance the Albion mustered at West Ham.
Jack Hinshelwood – 6.43
With all of Kaoru Mitoma, Simon Adingra, Ansu Fati and Solly March unavailable through January, Roberto De Zerbi switched from his favoured 4-2-3-1 formation to a back three with wing backs. Hinshelwood loved the additional attacking freedom the change brought, continuing to look like a bloke who has been playing Premier League football for years rather than an 18-year-old rookie.
Adam Lallana – 6.27
Sixth place in the Brighton January 2024 Player Ratings is some going for a guy named on the bench five times out of five.
Pervis Estupinan – 6.26
Nobody summed up the contrasting fortunes between FA Cup and Premier League through January than Estupinan. Brilliant at Stoke including scoring a 30 yard rocket followed by being withdrawn at half time against Luton after all three Hatters goals in the opening 45 minutes came down the side of the pitch he was defending. Impressive in its own way.
Facundo Buonanotte – 6.05
The teenager continued his recent improvement with a series of decent display, culminating in a Lionel Messi-esque goal cutting in from the left and shooting from distance at Sheffield United.
Adam Webster – 5.91
Like Lallana, Webster rides to his highest monthly score of the season on account of not being involved against Luton. Did a superb job when thrown in at the deep end on his return from injury at West Ham due to the lack of any other senior centre backs, helping the Albion secure a first Premier League shutout of the campaign.
Danny Welbeck – 5.62
Missed two chances from inside the box against Luton, not that it would have made much difference given the way his teammates played. A powerful run and finish saw Dat Guy round off the scoring at Bramall Lane.
Jason Steele – 5.61
Good work in keeping two Premier League clean sheets against West Ham and Wolves was completely undone by playing like someone who had taken 17 acid tablets before kick off at Luton.
Evan Ferguson – 5.51
Since being linked with a British record transfer to Chelsea this summer, Ferguson has gone completely off the boil. No surprise seeing as he is only 19-years-old and still learning the game – and no bad thing either if it improves the chances of Brighton keeping him.
Lewis Dunk – 5.43
Rare to see the Brighton captain so far down the Player Ratings. Suspended as the Albion kept their first league clean sheet of the season at West Ham, rested to the bench for Sheffield United and was bullied by Luton hat-trick hero Elijah Adebayo.
Jakub Moder – 5.31
Made his one and only start since his ACL injury against Stoke. Otherwise restricted to cameo appearances from the bench as the Albion carefully manage his return.
James Milner – 5.26
Definitely looks more comfortable playing further forward than when used at full back. Limped off as early as the 16th minute at Luton but even by then the game was already lost.
Bart Vebruggen – 5.20
Started both FA Cup matches. Was something of a mixed bag, playing well against Stoke in round three but should have done better for both Sheffield United goals in round four.
Carlos Baleba – 4.82
Does not have the trust of De Zerbi to play regularly yet due to his lack of experience. With that in mind, not throwing him on earlier at Luton when the match was done seems like a missed opportunity.
Tariq Lamptey – 4.52
Returned from his latest injury with a couple of run outs from the bench. For the sake of his Albion career, Lamptey really needs to stay fit between now and the end of the season.
Igor Julio – 4.41
Igor! Igor! Igor! Bottom spot in the Player Ratings went to the Brazilian defender on account of one of his two appearances being the Luton game, in which he was meant to be covering the left hand side with Estupinan. That went well.
The January 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.
