De Cuyper’s early assists underline Brighton’s left-side depth and European push | OneFootball

De Cuyper became only the third player in Premier League history to deliver two assists inside the first five minutes, setting up Brighton’s 3-0 home win over relegated Wolverhampton Wanderers. NY Times notes the display underlined Brighton’s left flank depth.

His cross and a corner were headed in by Jack Hinshelwood and Lewis Dunk, matching the fast starts of Andrey Arshavin in 2011 against Newcastle and Islam Slimani in 2016 versus Manchester City. He nearly had a third assist by 14 minutes when Kaoru Mitoma shot wide, before the winger later went off with a hamstring injury.

This was De Cuyper’s first start since February and only his 15th of the season, though he has featured in 28 of 36 league matches. His minutes have been limited by Ferdi Kadioglu’s form at left-back, the Turkish international has 32 starts, the most among outfield players.

Head coach Fabian Hurzeler praised De Cuyper’s attitude, saying he trains intensely, does not give up and puts the team first. He added that the Belgian’s left foot is a special weapon and he hopes the defender can keep building.

Signed from Brugge for £17.3million on a five-year deal, the 25-year-old is a rarer mid-career addition with five top-flight seasons. He produced 31 goal involvements for Brugge and has four goals and two assists in 17 Belgium games, and is in Rudi Garcia’s World Cup squad this summer. He has played in the Champions League, Europa League and Conference League.

Hurzeler has also used him higher up, scoring on the left wing in the 2-0 win at Nottingham Forest in November during Mitoma’s absence. With Kadioglu and De Cuyper, Brighton look well stocked on the left if, as seventh place suggests, Europe beckons. They visit Leeds on Sunday then host Manchester United, and four points should be enough to secure a European berth.

The right side needs attention. Against Wolves, Kadioglu switched to right-back because Mats Wieffer was out with an ankle injury, and only four of Kadioglu’s 32 league starts have been there. It also hinted at Joel Veltman’s direction, the 34-year-old is out of contract, and recruiting a right-back with a similar profile could address a key gap.

Source: NY Times