Brighton are typically seen as a young team. They have boasted some of the best young talents in the world in previous seasons, including Moises Caicedo and Levi Colwill (albeit on loan). These young talents have helped the Seagulls to go from the depths of the Premier League to challenge for the European places. This Brighton squad is also packed with young stars, with five of the best under 21 stars listed here.
Five Young Brighton Stars To Watch Out For In The Future
Jack Hinshelwood
Coming from a family of professional footballers, there was always going to be an expectation that he would go a similar way. Hinshelwood made his debut for Brighton in the Premier League as an 18-year-old under former manager Roberto De Zerbi after an eye-catching pre-season in the States. He found his way into the first team shortly after injuries to key midfielders. His availability and versatility are two of his key skills. The Englishman has filled in at right-back numerous times and even played at centre-back.
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He can play in these roles due to his immense talent and footballing IQ. This was something his under-21 coach Shannon Ruth labelled as ‘valuable’ for the squad. Speaking to the Argus, he said: “When he is involved in first-team training, he is listening to everything. Whether Roberto [De Zerbi] and his staff are talking to the central midfield players, the full-backs, whoever he is giving information to, Jack will be paying attention to ensure he is ready to play wherever he is put.”
Now under Fabian Hurzeler, Hinshelwood has retained his place in the team. Despite only being 20, he has notched up 25 appearances in all competitions, scoring two goals in the process. If Brighton does want to unlock his best potential, he needs to be played more in the midfield.
Yasin Ayari
Signed from Swedish outfit AIK in 2023 for £5 million, Ayari enjoyed two Championship loan spells at Blackburn Rovers and Coventry City before settling in Hurzeler’s squad this season. There were questions at the start of the term over whether the Swedish international would find a place in the already competitive Brighton midfield.
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Starting alongside Carlos Baleba in the Brighton midfield, he has the freedom of pushing on up the pitch. This has led to him achieving 28 league appearances, with 18 of those being starts. With Hurzeler’s love of rotating midfielders, this shows a level of trust the German has for Ayari. Speaking to the Argus, Hurzeler said: “He showed from the first seconds, especially in the pre-season, that he wants to be part of this team. Now he really deserves to be part of the team because he improves fast. Now he is an important part for us.”
His impressive displays this season have seen top European clubs Borussia Dortmund and AC Milan express their interest. Not bad for the young star.
Brajan Gruda
When Brighton paid £25 million to Mainz to acquire the 20-year-old, it was a signing that was aimed at the future rather than now. After an injury-plagued campaign which has seen minutes hard to come by, people are forgetting the talent the German attacker has got.
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Last season at Mainz, Gruda racked up 28 appearances, getting four goals and three assists. He played an advanced role, slotting into the right of a front three. This is where he excelled, showing off his technical ability, ball control and agility in tight spaces. He also has a wand of a left foot, which has produced a lot of creative moments.
Hurzeler described him as a ‘special talent’. “He has amazing skills with the ball. He’s like a boy from the street, as we say in German. He likes to dribble, to have the ball at his feet. He can do special things.”
Although he has been unable to reach his full potential since moving to England, Gruda has not yet adapted to the Premier League. If he gets a string of games, that is when he can finally show off his potential.
Yankuba Minteh
With other signings struggling to adapt to English football, the same cannot be said for Yankuba Minteh. The winger signed from Newcastle United in the previous summer for £30 million. He impressed under Arne Slot’s Feyenoord last season, getting 16 goal contributions in 37 games.
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His raw pace has made him a nightmare to defend against, with him also using it to track back. He likes to cut in on his favoured left foot which can make him predictable at times, but makes up for it with quick feet and lightning dribbling. In front of goal, he has grabbed six goals and five assists this season. Most of these have come in the second half of the season after he started to find his feet in the league.
From playing in the Gambian league four years ago to becoming a well-known force in the Premier League. Minteh has a very bright future in the game.
Carlos Baleba
Despite only being 21 years old, Baleba has cemented himself as one of the best midfielders in the league. Replacing Caicedo, who was signed to Chelsea for £115 million, was always going to be an uphill battle.
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Playing in a double-pivot, the special talent takes up a deeper role of the two midfielders, covering everything in front of the defence. His selfless hard work makes the Seagulls’ defenders’ jobs a lot easier. He has had no problem adapting to the physicality of the league since joining from Lille in 2023. He uses this to his advantage when carrying the ball up the pitch. Adding to this, he has a keen eye for a pass, with him being very comfortable on the ball in any circumstance. As well as that, Baleba can play centre back, as he proved in the 2-2 draw at home to Leicester City.
He has been touted by many Brighton fans as being their best and most important player. They have good reason to say this with there being so few all-round midfielders in the game. Baleba is one of them and at just 21 years of age. Out of all these players, he is the one to keep the closest eye on.
