Brighton shift towards 'best football age' as Hurzeler reshapes squad | OneFootball

Brighton are rebalancing their squad towards players in their mid-to-late twenties after years of pairing prospects with veterans. According to NY Times, the shift has accelerated under Fabian Hurzeler after Roberto De Zerbi’s exit in May 2024.

De Zerbi’s reign ended with defeat to Roma in the Europa League round of 16, following the club’s maiden European qualification the previous year.

Hurzeler’s side beat Roma 3-0 in a friendly at the Amex on Saturday, Georginio Rutter scoring and Yasin Ayari striking twice. Only Verbruggen, Dunk and Gross remain from the side that beat Roma 1-0 at home in March 2024.

This summer has dismantled the old guard, with Danny Welbeck, 35, joining Chelsea and Joel Veltman, 34, moving to West Ham United. James Milner retired, while Solly March, 32, and Adam Webster, 31, were released after long-term injuries.

Experience remains with captain Dunk, 34, plus Gross and goalkeeper Jason Steele, both 35. Around them, Brighton have added age-profile balance by signing Pascal Struijk and Michael Svoboda, who will be 27 at kick-off, and right-back Costinha, 26.

Brighton also recruited teenagers Luka Vuskovic and Zadok Yohanna, both 19, and brought in Rodrigo Rego, 21, from Benfica before loaning him to Castellon. Hurzeler says departures create opportunities, citing Rutter and Charalampos Kostoulas, and he views Ferdi Kadioglu, Mats Wieffer and Struijk as at the best football age. Last season he steadied a crisis, finishing eighth and into the UEFA Conference League final qualifying round later this month.

Source: NY Times

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”