Ferguson & Estupinan out for season: Brighton v City team news
Another Roberto De Zerbi press conference, another depressing injury update. Delivering the team news ahead of Brighton welcoming Manchester City to the Amex, the Albion head coach confirmed Evan Ferguson and Pervis Estupinan will miss the rest of the 2023-24 season.
Estupinan will be absent for the remaining six games due to a calf problem, making it three long-term injuries and an underwhelming second season in England.
The left back was first ruled out in September. His November comeback as a substitute in the 2-0 win away at Ajax lasted under 20 minutes before he broke down again.
Estupinan made his second return in December. Since then – bar scoring two absolute rockets against Spurs and Stoke City – he has looked a shadow of the player who brought so much excitement to the Amex in 2022-23.
Ferguson likewise has struggled from the turn of the year onwards. His last goal in any competition came when Brighton won 3-2 at Nottingham Forest in November.
The subsequent rush to write off Ferguson by some Albion supporters has been as impressive as it is ridiculous. Such peaks and troughs in performance are to be expected from a teenager.
But with his confidence appearing to wane in recent weeks, an enforced break might actually do Ferguson some good.
De Zerbi said: “He felt pain in the ankle a lot of time and he tried to move on, to play with pain. But at the end he preferred to stop and to think about next season.”
With the Albion’s chances of qualifying for Europe lessening by the game, this makes sense. Better to have Estupinan and Ferguson refreshed and ready for 2024-25 rather than flog them to death in the vain hope of finishing in the top seven.
So, who do Brighton actually have available for the their team to try and derail the title bid of Manchester City?
De Zerbi confirmed Adam Webster has recovered from injury. Given Webster’s struggles for form this season, that hardly seems like a boost taking on the great Abu Dhabi Sportswashing project.
The good news instead comes from the City camp, with confirmation that Erling Haaland will miss the trip to Brighton. The Albion now only have to worry about Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva, Julian Alvarez, Jack Grealish, Rodri and Jeremy Doku.
Oh, and Phil Foden. The in-form England forward who scores every time he plays against Brighton is available after a fitness scare. Joy.
Julio Enciso will face a late fitness test having scored the Premier League Goal of the Season the last time City were in town.
That 1-1 draw was arguably the highest-quality game of football seen at the Amex – and possibly in Brighton history.
The Albion went toe-to-toe with the treble winners in an enthralling, quick-paced, end-to-end contest. It was like watching football from another planet.
There seems little chance of a repeat tomorrow, what with the form Brighton are in and the standard of recent performances.
De Zerbi at least did try and sound upbeat. “I’m positive for these six games we’re going to play. I love playing at night because there is a different atmosphere.”
“But I think our fans have been fantastic in every game. If we start the game with good attitude, the right courage, the right behaviour, I think the fans can understand and can support more.”
I love playing at night too, Roberto. More time to get pissed before the game. And tomorrow looks like one of those evenings where a lot of medicinal Madri will be required.
