Is Bart Verbruggen really injured?

Did man really land on the moon? Were the CIA involved in the assassination of JFK? Did the real Paul McCartney die in a car crash and was replaced with a look-a-like by the Beatles? Is Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen really injured?

All great conspiracy theories of the past 70-odd years. We are here today to discuss the last one. Have the Albion just made up a six week injury for their number one goalkeeper? And if so, what would be the point?

The Verburggen Conspiracy stems from the timing and circumstances of his injury. Verbruggen played through all six of the Netherlands Euro 2024 matches seemingly without issue, unless he was injured in the very last act of the Dutch’s tournament – trying to keep out Ollie Watkins’ added time winner for England in the semi final.

It was one week after that night in Dortmund that the news broke over Verbruggen being out for six weeks. Questions soon followed.

How did Bart Verbruggen get injured?

Verbruggen was taking a well-earned rest at the time. Is it even possible to get injured on holiday? And how had the Brighton medical department assessed Verbruggen, identified the injury and put a timeframe on his return all with him being out of the United Kingdom?

The answer to the first question is yes, obviously. Accidents and injuries happen off-the-pitch. Looking back at Euro 2024 again, Anthony Gordon fell off his bike at the tournament.

He was lucky not to be ruled out for England. Not that it would have made much difference with Gareth Southgate having a phobia of using the Newcastle United winger.

Maybe Verbruggen fell off a bicycle? Or turned his ankle walking along a beach? He might have fallen out of a tree? Or had his arm bitten off by a crocodile on safari? Although that would probably require a lengthier spell on the side lines than six weeks.

As for the Albion assessing Verbruggen from wherever he is holidaying, there is this magical thing called the internet. Software exists which allows multiple people to meet remotely.

Failing that, Brighton could have paid for Verbruggen to be seen by the best medical practitioners anywhere in the world. Tony Bloom and the Albion are not short of a few quid. All the money from those £5.50 scotch eggs has to go towards something.

Why would Brighton make up an injury?

The best conspiracy theories attract support and believers because there is a solid-enough reason behind them. Why would Brighton make up that Verbruggen is injured?

This is where the fun begins. Several possibilities have been put forward. The most popular seems to be that it is a ploy to stop any other club wanting to buy Verbruggen this summer.

Let’s pick another European team totally at random to use in this example… Chelsea. Brighton say Verbruggen is injured. Chelsea were interested in signing him but now turn their attentions elsewhere for a Robert Sanchez replacement.

The six week length of Verbruggen’s absence conveniently means he returns to fitness as the summer transfer window enters its final few days. Makes you think, as Matt Le Tissier says.

It does though seem like a pretty extreme route to take in terms of keeping a player. Brighton could after all just turn down any bids, rather than fabricate an injury.

And there would be nothing to stop Verbruggen or his agent telling a potential suitor he is actually fully fit. Not to mention that players have been bought or sold in the past with a known injury.

Another theory has its basis in a future Verbruggen transfer. This one goes that the Albion have already struck a deal to sell the Dutch goalkeeper to an unnamed club. Like Chelsea, for example.

Said unnamed club are wanting to sell somebody first to balance their books. Brighton have therefore made up a problem to Verbruggen as an excuse for him to miss pre-season and the opening few weeks of the Premier League campaign, lest he pick up a real injury and the transfer collapses.

Sticking to the transfer theme and some think the Verbruggen injury is due to player having his head turned by interest from another club. Say for example, Chelsea.

Moises Caicedo was taken out of the firing line when Arsenal attempted to buy him in January 2023. Go back to August 2015 and it happened to Lewis Dunk after the future Albion captain handed in a transfer request and refused to play in a League Cup game at Southend United to try and force through a £5 million move to Fulham.

That theory though rather falls down on the whole injured part. Neither Caicedo nor Dunk had pretend injuries. The club readily admitted they were out of the team for the exact reason they were out of team.

Or maybe one North Stand Chat user has hit the nail on the head with their post: “I’ve heard he’s actually dead and the club just don’t want to admit it.”

There is of course another possibility. Verbruggen is actually injured and will be out for six weeks. But where is the fun in that?