Brighton must strengthen their forward line in January
It’s been a decent start to life in the Premier League for Brighton, with Chris Hughton’s men taking 17 points from their first 15 matches in the top flight and finding themselves deeply entrenched in mid-table.
During the competitive 38-game season, it can be dangerous to stand still and inevitably, the Seagulls will have to enter the transfer market in January with the striking department seemingly in need of reinforcements.
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Brighton bided their time in the summer transfer window before breaking their own previous record three times. It’s been a mixed bag for a number of new recruitments, with the likes of Mat Ryan and Davy Propper featuring regularly, whilst Pascal Gross has also adapted well to the top flight. Markus Suttner has featured just eight times, whilst there have been flashes of inspiration from Jose Izquierdo, most notably his thunderous strike against West Ham to wrap up a convincing 3-0 victory for the visitors.
With many of their new arrivals having little time to settle in to life at the Amex, Brighton were always tipped to struggle this season, particularly with the competitive nature of football in the Premier League, but they are now as big as 10/3 to be relegated and their habit of beating the sides around them in the table makes them a decent proposition to finish clear of the bottom three.
Hughton is already looking ahead to 2018 with the transfer window re-opening on January 1 and will be hoping to strengthen his squad once again. The former Newcastle boss told reporters: “We are always thinking about January; we know what an important period it is,” but was quick to revert to reality when adding: “We’ll work towards it but it doesn’t mean we’ll definitely bring anyone in.”
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One player who could leave East Sussex in January is Jiri Skalak, who hasn’t been able to break into the first team this season and may have to make a move elsewhere in order to further his career. Hughton has reiterated that he will be looking at “all positions” and reinforcements will surely arrive, but there are some key areas in which many fans believe he should pay particular attention. Competition within a squad can only be a good thing and although Brighton are never going to have an embarrassment of riches like Manchester City or Chelsea, having a few options in each position is vitally important.
A striker is surely Albion’s first priority. Despite sitting comfortably mid-table, they have netted just 14 times in 15 matches, which is only one more than second bottom West Ham and the joint-lowest in the top 14. Glenn Murray has five goals and is the club’s top scorer but the striker isn’t getting any younger and can’t shoulder Brighton’s entire goal burden for the remainder of the campaign. He’s netted just 16 times in 65 appearances in the Premier League and should he pick up an unfortunate injury, the Seagulls have little in reserve. Tomer Hemed could pick up the pieces and is off the mark for the campaign, but he wasn’t prolific at Championship level and is unlikely to fire double figures.
Brighton were linked with Tammy Abraham, who might be regretting his decision to move to South Wales as well as Florin Andone and Vincent Janssen in the summer, but neither deal materialised.
Sam Baldock is unproven at this level and has been competing for the Under 23s, but whether he will be given the chance to impress remains to be seen. Every single game is vitally important in the Premier League and Hughton is far more likely to opt for experience. Brighton have tended to play a 4-4-1-1 formation, which has meant only one striker is required, with Murray generally given the nod by the boss. Whilst some may argue that the addition of another striker may muddy the water somewhat, just 14 goals this campaign suggests otherwise.
Hughton may opt for a change of formation during the second half of the season when his side must juggle Premier League and FA Cup commitments and the addition of some genuine firepower should help cement their place in mid-table. A number of promoted teams in recent years have had a positive first half of the season before their below average January transfer business has been the catalyst for a dramatic fall from grace. Blackpool and Hull being two recent examples.
There are very few areas which require urgent improvements but Brighton’s striking department can certainly benefit from some investment. Chris Hughton has played down the possibility of a January splurge but he will surely be keen to add a genuine finisher to his ranks when the window opens in the New Year.
