58% of Brighton fans think De Zerbi can win the Seagulls silverware
The Roberto De Zerbi Effect is driving unparalleled optimism through the Brighton fanbase ahead of the 2023-24 season.
58 percent of Albion supporters believe that De Zerbi can bring silverware to the Amex – either domestic or European – according to the 2023-24 Fan Hope Survey carried out by Sky Bet.
Brighton have four potential routes to a trophy in the upcoming season. Firstly, there is the Europa League. Should the Seagulls fail to qualify for the knockout stages by finishing third in their group, they will drop into the Europa Conference for another crack at continental silverware.
In England, Brighton proved last season they can challenge for the FA Cup. The Albion eliminated holders Liverpool and were a penalty shootout away from making it to the final having been much the better side against Manchester United in the big semi at Wembley.
As for the Carabao Cup, De Zerbi will feel he has unfinished business in that particular competition. The Albion suffered an embarrassing fourth round exit at Charlton Athletic last season, a night De Zerbi frequently referenced over the following weeks and months as making him angry.
Whereas most managers would sweep such a disappointment under the carpet by diminishing the importance of the Carabao Cup, De Zerbi wanted to go all the way and he was not ashamed to admit it.
He was livid that a realistic chance of winning Brighton a first major trophy since the Charity Shield of 1910 had been thrown away.
It was no coincidence that after elimination at the Valley, Brighton delivered the most impressive results and football seen in the 121-year history of the club.
De Zerbi used Charlton to light a fire under his players, transforming their mentality and introducing a burning desire to win everything.
The result was a sixth place finish and that run to the semi finals of the FA Cup. Whereas Graham Potter would herald a 0-0 home draw against rock-bottom Norwich City as a great result, the Albion under De Zerbi believe they can beat anyone.
This belief is hugely infectious and not just restricted to the squad, as shown by the number of Brighton supporters deeming silverware a real possibility under De Zerbi in the upcoming campaign.
Unsurprisingly, the Sky Bet Fan Hope Survey found Tony Bloom had the highest approval rating of any chairman in the Premier League.
99 percent of Albion fans said Bloom was doing a good job. It would be fascinating to spend a day inside the brain of the one percent who think Bloom could be doing better.
Two percent of those polled meanwhile were hoping Brighton would be taken over by a new owner. Let us hope these people are captured and returned to the secure units they escaped from very quickly.
Brighton supporters believe De Zerbi to be the best pound-for-pound manager in the Premier League. Fans of other clubs agree by-and-large, with only Pep Guardiola, Jürgen Klopp, Eddie Howe and Thomas Frank voted higher.
A major reason for the Albion’s success is their excellent recruitment record. Brighton fans scored the club’s transfer work at 7.5 out of 10, the second highest approval after Manchester City.
The Fan Hope Survey also asked supporters to predict their club’s final finishing position in 2023-24. The average for Brighton was seventh spot, which would be good enough to again bring European football to the Amex.
To discover more hopes, views and predictions from the Sky Bet Fan Hope Survey, visit the dedicated start of season hub at Sky Bet Fan Central.
