Brighton have made an impressive start to the new Premier League season, currently sitting third in the table after five games. This comes despite a significant summer overhaul that saw 20 players sold or loaned out, including key departures such as Carlos Baleba to Manchester United for £70m and Jan Paul van Hecke to Tottenham for £52m.
The club has also contended with a growing injury list, with starting wingers Kaoru Mitoma and Yankuba Minteh sidelined, alongside forwards Jack Hinshelwood and Georginio Rutter. Despite these challenges, Brighton have emerged as the league's top scorers with 16 goals and possess the best goal difference at +11. They notably defeated champions Arsenal 3-0 before the international break.
A standout performer has been 35-year-old Pascal Gross, who returned to the club in January for £1.7m. He has been involved in more goals than any other Premier League player this season, scoring three and assisting three. Manager Fabian Hürzeler praised Gross, stating, "You can really trust him and he makes the teammates around him better."
Hürzeler also highlighted the importance of experienced players like Gross, Jason Steele, and Lewis Dunk, referring to them as 'social leaders' crucial for integrating new players. The team's intensity and off-the-ball work have been central to their success, with Brighton averaging fewer passes allowed per defensive action than any other side in the league.