How Brighton might replace Mac Allister and Caicedo in midfield

Sometimes, it is best to prepare for the worst. And for the Albion, that means considering the possibility that both Alexis Mac Allister and Moises Caicedo will depart the Brighton midfield this summer.

Quite what the conversations were between the club and the players when they both recently extended their contracts is a matter of conjecture.

Brighton do not, apparently, do out-and-out release clauses in the traditional sense triggered by a bid totalling a certain amount.

This is not to say that there are no exit clauses in either player’s deals; indeed, it is strongly rumoured that Mac Allister has some sort of mechanism allowing him to leave if certain conditions are meant.

Not to mention any gentleman’s agreements which may have been struck; similar to the one between Tony Bloom and Elliott Bennett in 2011, which saw Bennett sold to Norwich City at the Canaries’ second time of asking once he had helped Brighton to promotion from League One.

At this stage the only thing that seems likely to stop them both moving is if Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea et al do not meet whatever valuation Brighton place on the players.

Paul Barber makes it very clear every time he is interviewed that the Albion never publicly reveal these figures and very few are privy to what they are. Speculation would suggest, however, that £70 million maybe enough to get Mac Allister and £90 million Caicedo.

Roberto De Zerbi seemed to make clear in his interview after the Aston Villa match that he expected both to leave, saying: “I think it can be the last game for Alexis and Moises Caicedo.”

“I am really sorry because they are two great people and two great players but the policy of Brighton is like this. It is right that they can leave, they can play at a higher level. People believe Alexis is a fantastic player, but as a man he is better than the player.”

“I am really sorry if we lose him, if we lose Moises Caicedo, but players like this deserve to play at another level, another level in terms of competition, in terms of importance of the club, prestige of the club.”

If De Zerbi and the rumour mill are correct and both Mac Allister and Caicedo do leave Brighton this summer, how then can they be replaced?

New midfield signings
Midfield is the position where Brighton are being most heavily linked with signings at the beginning of the summer transfer window, with the following names having cropped up most frequently.

The capture of 27-year-old Germany international Mahmoud Dahoud from Borussia Dortmund has been described as being “on the verge of completion” by multiple sources, including De Zerbi.

Dahoud has most often been used as a deep lying playmaker, someone who is more likely to spray passes around from in front of the back four than being a holding type covering every blade of grass like Caicedo.

James Milner has also been strongly linked following his departure from Liverpool. Given the lack of full back options in the current Brighton squad, Milner may though be viewed as more of a defender than a player coming in to cover for the loss of Mac Allister and/or Caicedo.

Four-time Italian international Davide Frattesi is an intriguing option from Sassuolo, one of De Zerbi’s former clubs. The 23-year-old was on the books when De Zerbi was there, but mainly out elsewhere on loan.

Whilst rumours persist, De Zerbi himself appeared to pour cold water on the idea, saying: “Frattesi is a great footballer and he can play in the Premier League. He can play anywhere because he has very important qualities. But we need different characteristics.”

Another Sassuolo midfielder linked with Brighton is 25-year-old Maxime Lopez. A more defensive option, the chances of the Albion signing him appear as moderate as the likelihood of Fratessi coming to the Amex.

Japan international Reo Hatatate has been earning rave reviews at Celtic and was renowned for having a strong partnership with Kaoru Mitoma when they were teammates at Kawasaki Fronatale.

The attraction for Brighton in increasing their Japanese connection is obvious, and such a move might even encourage Mitoma to stay if he felt that two Samurai Blues could thrive at the same club and help put their nation further on the football map.

Winston McKennie has not exactly pulled up many trees on loan at Leeds United from Juventus and that would make rumours linking the Albion with the 24-year-old USA international look wide of the mark.

Last but not least, there is a certain Yves Bissouma. No news outlets have reported a possible return to the Albion from Spurs for the midfielder.

His name though continues to crop up amongst Brighton fans as a potential Caicedo replacement given his lack of game time at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. A new Spurs manager may, however, make more use of Bissouma than Antonio Conte did.

Midfield options already at the Albion
One piece of transfer business has already been completed by the Albion with the £30 million signing of Joao Pedro from Watford.

A versatile forward, Pedro can play both as a number 10 or a winger, as well as in the striker role many assume he will fill.

Beyond the current senior squad, the Albion have a number of talented midfielders in the Under 21s and out on loan. The tables below list the club’s current options.

 

 

A few years ago, the joke was whether Brighton would soon field a whole team of central defenders. Now, the club could equally field a competitive team of midfield players, given those already out on loan and the promise shown by some of the Premier League 2 players.

By the time next season starts, the hope would be that Jakub Moder will be ready to play again and almost act as a new signing.

Look at the number 10 options list and it suggests that position is well covered, even if Adam Lallana has another injury-hit year.

Julio Enciso and Facundo Buonanotte have both made great strides towards the end of the season and Jeremy Sarmiento is another soon returning from injury.

If there are any issues that keep Brighton fans awake, then the replacement of Caicedo’s rare skillset would likely be the top concern. But in terms of general midfield roles, the club already has an enviable wealth of options.

The likes of Moder, Lallana, Pascal Gross and Billy Gilmour need no introduction. Who though from the Under 21s or the midfielders out on loan might be ready to step into the senior Brighton squad?

We have already seen some brief promising cameos from 19-year-old Yasin Ayari. De Zerbi has given the Swedish international a strong endorsement, saying: “I think in the future he can be important for us. He can become another Caicedo, Mac Allister, Mitoma. He is a good player.”

Steve Alzate would appear to be at a crossroads in his career, out of contract in the summer of 2024 and needing regular first team football at the age of 24 – something he has indicated in recent interviews.

Frequent game time is what he got during Graham Potter’s first season at Brighton. The comfort on the ball in tight situations he displayed under the former Albion head coach would appear well suited to DeZerbiBall.

De Zerbi may hold a similar view. Andy Naylor has reported for The Athletic that Brighton have not given up on Alzate, suggesting a good pre-season showing may see him brought back into the first team setup.

Kacper Kozlowski was signed in 2021 and given the reported fee of around £8 million and the assessment at the time that he was one of the best young players in Europe, hope presumably remains that he has a future with the Albion.

Kozlowski has gone somewhat under the radar since his move to Vitesse Arnhem. 28 games, three goals and four assists have been enough to earn a recall to the Polish international squad and at 19-years-old, he still has plenty of time on his side.

Andrew Moran has been described as “the Irish Phil Foden” by former Brighton youth coach Mark Beard. Watch his goal for the Albion in Under 17 Premier League Cup final against Middlesbrough in 2021 and you will see why.

Moran made his Premier League debut in the 4-1 victory at Everton back in January and has regularly been named on the bench since.

De Zerbi often namechecks Moran as one for the future, although it seems more likely the 19-year-old will head out on loan rather than coming into the Brighton squad in the event of Mac Allister and/or Caicedo departing.

Despite Morecambe being relegated from League One, Jensen Weir had an outstanding season on loan in the north west. In 48 games across all competitions, he scored 11 goals and registered five assists.

Posting on Twitter following the end of his spell at the Mazuma Stadium, 21-year-old Weir said: “Gutted with how it ended yesterday and not being able to stay in League One. It’s been a pleasure to play for the club and I wish everyone all the best for the future.”

There has been success at the opposite end of League Two for the more defensively minded Marc Leonard, who helped Northampton Town with promotion.

The 21-year-old made 45 appearances for the Cobblers, contributing one goal and one assist. Northampton manager Jon Bradley spoke in glowing terms to the Northampton Chronicle about the impact of Leonard and Fulham loanee Kieron Bowie.

“They have enhanced their reputations and there will probably be some interest in them but that’s part of what we’ve all done together. It would be brilliant to have them back but a lot would have to happen in the meantime.”

Cam Peupion scored six goals and claimed three assists to be named PL2 Player of the Month in April 2023. Capable of playing as a winger or through the middle, the 20-year-old has been called up the Australia Under 23s squad for this summer’s Maurice Revello Tournament in France.

Peupion made his first Premier League appearance in the 4-1 defeat at Newcastle and is another De Zerbi has taken the time to mention when praising the Albion’s development system.

“Without Sarmiento, without Lallana, without Solly March the young players can be important. Cam (Peupion), (Andrew) Moran, Odell (Offiah). I am lucky because the academy of Brighton is top,” said the Brighton head coach.

Having just signed a new contract through to 2026, 18-year-old Jack Hinshelwood is a player the club clearly believe has a Premier League future.

The son of former Brighton defender and current Worthing manager Adam has starred in PL2 this season, culminating in a first team debut on the final day away at Aston Villa.

Speaking to the official Albion website, Under 21s head coach Shannon Ruth said: “Jack has made the step up to Under 21s football seamlessly this season, and he has had the opportunity to train with the first team on numerous occasions while also being named on the bench in the Premier League.”

Last but not least, Luca Barrington has produced some excellent numbers since joining from Manchester City in 2021. The 18-year-old attacking midfielder has six goals and eight assists from 24 PL2 appearances.

When I set out to write these articles, I honestly intended them to be shorter. The number of talented young players at Brighton has made that very difficult.

And this article has – probably unfairly – not covered in any detail 21-year-olds Teddy Jenks and Jack Spong, both recently at Crawley Town.

PL2 regulars Samy Chouchane (19) and Jack Hincy (20) may have warranted a mention and nobody from the Under 18s squad has been included.

Having listed the potential of so many players comes a note of realism; not just on their likelihood of becoming the long-term successors to Mac Allister and Caicedo, but indeed making it as Brighton regulars at all.

Only a minority of players who look strong at Under 21 level go onto have Premier League careers. Three years ago and Max Sanders would have been mentioned in glowing terms in any article looking at potential future Albion midfielders from the development squad.

Somewhat surprisingly perhaps, he has just been released by Lincoln City – although he is not expected to be short of offers this summer.

I have highlighted in this article players who are sensibly designated as midfielders. Football though is much more fluid in 2023, especially with a tactical innovator like De Zerbi in charge.

Take for example the number 10 role and the flexibility that the current Albion team operates with. Many of the forwards, wingers and midfield players can cover it in different ways.

Indeed, at various points this season Lallana, Mac Allister, Gross, Enciso, Buonanotte, Undav and Welbeck have been used as number 10s.

On paper, replacing Mac Allister will therefore be easier for Brighton than coping without Caicedo. How the Albion cover the loss of a world class defensive midfielder whose skillset is unlike anyone else will be the most intriguing (and concerning) question of the summer, should Caicedo be sold.

Caicedo operates and reads the game almost like an additional defender at times, which suggests De Zerbi could look outside the box at his current defensive options to replace Caicedo.

In the March international break, Pervis Estupinan was used as a holding midfielder by Ecuador. Whilst it seems an unlikely solution given Estupinan’s value as the sole senior left back in the squad, it maybe an option in the future if the full back positions both strengthened this summer.

Alternatively, a young defender sharing similar traits to Estupinan and Caicedo could be converted. Offiah for example has attributes which look well suited to a midfield role.

In conclusion, midfield is another area where Brighton look well prepared with players of Premier League potential waiting in the wings.

Should Mac Allister and Caicedo both depart this summer, then there are potentially two openings for young players to take advantage of once Brighton return for pre-season. Who will make the most of the opportunity?

Peter Finn