Jack Hinshelwood thrives as Brighton’s No 10 amid senior support | OneFootball

Brighton’s run of three wins in four has owed much to the old guard, yet academy graduate Jack Hinshelwood’s move to No 10 has underpinned it.

Fabian Hurzeler first used him there in the 2-0 win at Brentford in February after six winless games, then kept him in the role against Nottingham Forest, Arsenal and Sunderland.

At Sunderland he shone before the break, finding space, linking play and making deep runs, but he failed to finish from a Yankuba Minteh cross and after combining with Danny Welbeck, both saved by Melker Ellborg.

FBref data shows 10 shots in four games at No 10, four on target, plus a headed assist for Welbeck in the 2-1 win over Forest.

“He still thinks defensively, playing as a 10. That means, for example, defending the edge of the box when a cross comes in, (and) trying to follow a run from a very offensive (opposition number) six.”

He was speaking to The Athletic.

Experience surrounds him, with Lewis Dunk marking his 500th start after a knee problem in the 1-0 win at Sunderland, and Pascal Gross and James Milner anchoring midfield.

For now he leads the No 10 race. Georginio Rutter has featured once in five, Matt O’Riley has nine league minutes since January, Brajan Gruda is on loan at RB Leipzig and Charalampos Kostoulas has missed recent squads. It is too soon to know next season’s picture.

Source: NY Times