Brighton 2020/21 Season Preview: Strengths, Weaknesses, Key Man & Prediction
Some Brighton fans feared the worst after the club parted ways with Chris Hughton before the start of last season but his successor, Graham Potter, has done a fantastic job. The Seagulls finished in a very respectable 15th place in the Premier League after putting together an impressive run of results following the competition's restart in June. Potter will hope that his squad can build on this success and push for a mid-table finish this time around.
So ahead of their 14th September opener against big spenders Chelsea, we take a look at everything that could help or hinder their performance this season.
Strengths
Defence
Brighton conceded the same amount of goals (54) last season as their opening day opponents Chelsea did - a side that finished fourth.
Captain Lewis Dunk was again impressive as the anchor of Brighton's defence. With his experience, and exciting youngster's like Tariq Lamptey and the returning Ben White coming through, Brighton will likely only get better at the back.
Set Pieces
Under Chris Hughton, Brighton used England’s popular ‘love train’ tactic. This made it more difficult for players to be marked tightly by opponents, allowing for more unopposed movement in the box and, therefore, more opportunities on goal from corners and free kicks.
Though Potter sets up differently, he still packs the box with his big defenders. Dan Burn is 6 foot 7, while Webster and Dunk are all comfortably over 6 foot. Brighton have multiple set piece targets who are likely to be even taller than the opponent marking them. Ideal really.
Weaknesses
Scoring Goals
Even though Potter's style is certainly more flattering on the eye, his side still struggled to score goals last season, finding the net just 39 times with striker Neal Maupay scoring ten of those.
Brighton often struggle to capitalise on promising situations in the final third of the pitch - something which they'll be hoping to rectify during the 2020/21 campaign.
Key Man
Brighton made a big statement when they signed Premier League winner Adam Lallana on a free transfer from Liverpool this summer. Given his limited game time as a bit-part player last season, Lallana will be desperate to show that he can be the dependable man Brighton need behind their forward line.
The 32-year-old is an extremely talented midfielder who will add some much needed creativity to this Seagulls side. With his repertoire of passing, his playmaking skills and his ability to press, he is the ideal Potter player and exactly what the manager wants.
Prediction
With promising young players coming through, and an already well drilled, tight-knit defensive unit in place, the foundations are definitely there for Brighton to launch an exciting new project at the Amex.
Prediction: Mid-table