Seagulls set to soar in Qatar
Now under a week to go until the biggest footballing event in the world kicks off in Qatar, and the Premier League takes an unprecedented winter break.
Despite the disappointment of that home loss to Villa, it has to go down as a solid start to the season for the Seagulls who, according to new betting sites are once again one of the league’s top expected goals (xG) performers.
For many in the Brighton squad, the break provides an opportunity to recharge the batteries ahead of a packed post-World Cup schedule.
Not all however as, whilst Brighton are not represented in the England squad, they do feature in six of the other national sides heading east. Here we run through the eight men looking to make the news at World Cup 22.
Robert Sánchez – Spain
It has been quite the journey for the man between the sticks, from Forest Green Rovers to Rochdale, on to Brighton, and now on the plane with the Spanish national side.
Sánchez is likely to act as backup to Spain’s number 1 Unai Simon, but may well make it deep into the tournament with a young and exciting Spanish team.
Tariq Lamptey – Ghana
Tariq left it late to decide between England and Ghana, but having plumped for the Black Stars, he immediately becomes the best right back in the squad.
Despite heading into the tournament with just the one cap to his name, Lamptey’s pace down the flank may prove crucial to Ghana’s chances of escaping a tough-looking group containing Portugal and Uruguay.
Alexis Mac Allister – Argentina
Previously a member of the Under-23 side, Mac Allister’s smooth transition to the Premier League seems to have caught the eye of Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni, who swiftly promoted him to the senior set-up.
Competition is fierce in the Argentina midfield, but Mac Allister is probably the most likely to return to the Amex as a World Cup winner.
Leandro Trossard – Belgium
With Belgium expected to start with a front three of Eden Hazard, Romelu Lukaku, and Kevin De Bruyne, Trossard is likely to begin the tournament on the bench.
Should Belgium show any signs of struggle in the goalscoring department though he may be the first man they call upon. With 5 goals in 21 appearances, he has never let Roberto Martinez down.
Pervis Estupiñán – Ecuador
The first of a trio of Brighton players in the Ecuador Squad, Estupiñán is expected to start having missed only one game in qualifying.
Given Ecuador’s high-risk style, the left-back’s strength, pace, and engine have helped cement his place in the side.
Jeremy Sarmiento – Ecuador
20-year-old Sarmiento actually represented England at youth level but was successfully approached by Ecuador and immediately added to the senior squad.
Making his World Cup qualifying debut before earning his first start for Brighton, Sarmiento’s role seems most likely to come as an impact sub from the bench.
Moisés Caicedo – Ecuador
Brazil coach Tité has identified Ecuador as his dark horse for the tournament. If La Tricolor are to live up to that assessment, Brighton’s outstanding box-to-box midfielder may well emerge as one of the breakout stars of the tournament.
Making his debut as a teenager, Caicedo immediately looked at home and is now THE key player in the side.
Kaoru Mitoma – Japan
Japan have been landed in what many are labelling the group of death, with both Spain and Germany red hot favourites to make it through to the knockout stages.
Mitoma only has nine caps to his name but was pivotal in Samurai Blue’s qualification for the tournament – scoring both goals in a 2-0 win over Australia, despite only appearing from the bench in the 86th minute.
A mercurial talent, he may not start, but seems sure to play a role – particularly if Japan need a goal.
