Luka Vuskovic sets pace as Brighton’s 10 other signings face longer bedding-in | OneFootball

Record signing Luka Vuskovic is setting the pace for Brighton & Hove Albion, while most of the club’s 10 other summer recruits are likely to be eased in as Fabian Hurzeler beds them into a heavy autumn.

The 19-year-old centre-back, signed from Tottenham Hotspur for an initial £46m rising to £50m, has played every league minute and headed the second-half equaliser in the 1-1 draw with Leeds United at the Amex. It was his seventh goal since the start of last season, more than any other centre-back across Europe’s big five leagues. “He has the physicality to adapt quickly to the Premier League, but we shouldn’t underestimate that he is really young. He definitely adapts quickly,” he told The Athletic after the match.

Vuskovic has been paired with ever-present captain Lewis Dunk. Pascal Struijk is back from a pre-season injury, and Michael Svoboda has resumed training after a knee issue.

Several newcomers could see more minutes in the Conference League. Wide options will be congested once Kaoru Mitoma and Yankuba Minteh return. Up front, Charalampos Kostoulas is leading the line while Georginio Rutter, more effective as a No 10, nears a comeback. Stefanos Tzimas, Evan Ferguson and Jack Hinshelwood remain out.

Brighton visit Manchester United in the Carabao Cup on 16 September, then host Arsenal three days later. After Sunderland on 10 October, they face at least 17 games in 71 days, including six Conference League group fixtures. “We definitely need to rotate in the games. We have to plan it well, especially the schedule after the international break, because this will be challenging.”

Source: NY Times

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