Brighton Reaching New Heights As Roberto De Zerbi Unleashes Attacking Potential

Brighton fans surely feared the worst after Graham Potter’s decision to leave the club for Chelsea in September. The Seagulls were flying high at the time, sitting fourth in the Premier PINC League, and so many believed Potter’s departure would see them slide back down the table. Now, though, Brighton are more entertaining than ever.

While Brighton aren’t as high as fourth in the Premier League table, they are sitting sixth and have just secured their passage through to the fifth round of the FA Cup with a victory over Liverpool - their second victory over Liverpool in just three weeks. Not many fans around the Amex Stadium rue Potter’s exit now.

Indeed, Roberto De Zerbi has taken the principles left behind by his predecessor and built on them. The Italian coach has made Brighton a more fearsome attacking outfit with the south coast side scoring an impressive 21 goals in their last seven matches. Liverpool were just the latest team to be put to the sword.

De Zerbi has shifted Brighton into a 4-2-3-1 shape since his appointment four months ago. Under Potter, Brighton usually played with three at the back. Wing backs provided width and attacks were the result of intense counter-pressing through the middle of the pitch. De Zerbi, however, wants his team to play in a different way.

The likes of Solly March and Kaoru Mitoma have been pushed closer to goal and this has helped to turn them into more reliable threats in and around the opposition penalty box. Mitoma in particular has flourished in a way few could have predicted before the 2022 World Cup with the Japanese international scoring a stunning winner against Liverpool on Sunday.

Brighton are quicker to move the ball forward under De Zerbi than they ever were under Potter. They’re also alert to the opportunity to go direct - this gives Brighton the ability to turn opposition defences and get them running towards their own goal. The Seagulls remain an intelligent and disciplined team, but they have more attacking freedom.

Moises Caicedo’s exit before transfer deadline day would deal a significant blow to Brighton’s hopes of staying in the Premier League’s top six. “I would like him to finish the season with us,” said De Zerbi. “[Brighton chairman] Tony Bloom knows very well my opinion. We lost [Leandro] Trossard and if we also lose Caicedo it's a problem for us if we want to fight for Europe. If we don't lose Caicedo we are ready to fight.”

Even if Caicedo departs, though, Brighton are better equipped than most to absorb his loss. After all, they have lost several key figures over the last two seasons, including Potter, and have still managed to move forward. This is the sign of a well-run club and De Zerbi could take them to new heights should Brighton’s current trajectory continue.