Derren Howard is joined by Sussex World reporters Sam Morton and Henry Bryant as they discuss all things Brigton and Hove Albion and their search for Roberto De Zerbi's successor
Category
🥇
SportsTranscript
00:00 Okay, good morning and welcome to another episode of Goal Malfaction podcast, where
00:04 we take a look at all the latest goings on at Brighton and Hove Albion. I'm Darren Howard
00:09 and this week I'm joined by Brighton expert and Sussex World reporter Henry Bryant and
00:14 Sussex World sports reporter Sam Morton as well. Brighton's search for successor to Roberto
00:20 Di Zerbi continues. We've been keeping up to speed with all the latest developments
00:24 and you can read all the stories we're talking about with videos and pictures online at Sussex
00:29 World.co.uk/sport and you can check out other great videos on shotstv.com and Freeview channel
00:37 276. You may also be watching on latest TV, so thank you very much for tuning in. But
00:44 we start with the Brighton manager situation. Still no news on Graham Potter or Steve Cooper.
00:53 Henrik Rijnstrom, I think I'm pronouncing that quickly, remains the third favourite,
00:58 but there's no word from the club and it's all fairly quiet. Where do you think we're
01:02 at, Sam, with the search? We're sort of more than two weeks in now, aren't we, after Di
01:08 Zerbi left? Yeah, it's all very quiet, isn't it, Darren, really? It's very strange because
01:13 obviously I think we discussed last week, obviously when Di Zerbi left, we just kind
01:16 of just assumed that Brighton had a plan and it wouldn't take too long for a successor
01:20 to come in. It hasn't worked out like that at all, really. It's all very quiet and obviously
01:28 it's difficult to know what the club are planning to do. And it does seem like Potter was an
01:34 option and maybe still is an option, but you feel like if that was going to happen, it
01:37 would have already happened. I think Ian Hart was saying that in the last episode that it
01:43 just strikes us a bit odd that when they had him as manager before, they've obviously still
01:48 got him close contact and things like that. You just think that if that was going to happen,
01:52 he's out of a job and it could be quite a quick transition if it was something they
01:57 both agreed to. So, it does beg the question whether maybe he's waiting for the England
02:01 job if Gareth Southgate was to leave England. It's a bit strange on the Graham Potter side
02:06 of things and what's going on with that one. So, yeah, it's a difficult one. Obviously,
02:12 it is very quiet and as you say, it's in some other names linked like Henrik Rijstrum and
02:17 Steve Cooper. But I guess it's all just hearsay at the moment, isn't it? And it's difficult
02:22 to narrow down an exact plan that we think Brighton are going to go with. So, definitely
02:28 it's an interesting one. It's just tough to call really.
02:34 I think some fans are keen to get it resolved so that they can start the pre-season preparations
02:45 and the transfer situation, Henry. Graham Potter was also linked to Fyenoids today as
02:51 well. Obviously, they're looking for a replacement for Arnie Slott who moved to Liverpool. Fyenoids
02:56 are champions. They'll be playing Champions League football again next season. But yeah,
03:01 do you think the club are obviously working really hard behind the scenes? So, you've
03:05 got to trust the process of the club, really, that they're working hard and we'll get the
03:10 right man in?
03:11 I think, yeah, I'd have to agree. I think they've been stumped with the likes of Kieran
03:17 McKenna signing a new contract at Ipswich. I think that that was their go-to man, really,
03:23 and it's just not worked out for him. And I mean, fair enough to Kieran, he's done a
03:27 fantastic job at Ipswich and he wants to at least have a season with them up in the Premier
03:33 League and who wouldn't after getting their side promoted in that fashion? And they've
03:38 done really well. I think that, yeah, I think Graham Potter, according to some sources at
03:44 least, is going to look for that England job potentially if Gareth Southgate doesn't renew
03:50 his contract after the Euro 2024. I think in terms of an England manager, he hasn't
03:58 really been proven, I'd say, and he's not really had that sort of calibre that you would
04:03 look at an England manager for. But I think I can see it happening, if I'm honest. And
04:09 it's been such a tricky one for Brighton and I think the fans as well. I think they know
04:13 if they did end up bringing Graham Potter in, there would be a massive divide, as we've
04:18 spoken about previously. And the fact that you'd almost be coming in having an uphill
04:24 battle with some of the fans, I don't think would sit right for Tony Bloom and Barber
04:31 in general. If you look at the list of people we've got, we've even got the likes of Brendan
04:36 Rodgers. No, he's not on the sort of favourites list, but he plays a very possession-based
04:42 style of football when he's managing and his passing from the back to attacking flow is
04:49 very similar to that of Deserby's that we've seen previously. So I think he'd be a good
04:54 option. And as you were mentioning as well, Henrik Rydström in the Swedish league at
04:59 the moment, managing Malmo, who are currently first. I think that when you see those sort
05:05 of unheard names, it's always Brighton to sign them. I mean, Roberto Deserby, no one
05:10 really knew who he was. Graham Potter as well. I mean, he was managing abroad, came to Swansea
05:17 and had only had a little bit of time there before he was put straight into the Premier
05:21 League and done really well. So I think as Brighton fans and people that follow the club,
05:26 they know that they can trust Brighton, but I think they're having a lot more of an issue
05:32 than they realised.
05:33 Yeah, and just on Rydström, obviously he has been backed by a Brighton player, hasn't
05:37 he? Yasin Ayari. He made quite a funny comment saying, we asked if it was just a rumour and
05:43 said it would be sick if it came true. He's a great coach, he likes to play good football.
05:49 The rumour can't be completely stupid because Brighton look at data and stats and he has
05:53 very good statistics in the Swedish league. So that could be promising. And a bit of endorsement
05:58 there from one of his compatriots. So yeah, there definitely could be one that Brighton
06:02 could be looking at.
06:03 Yeah, it could be another ace up Brighton's sleeve again, which yeah, we'll just have
06:07 to wait and see and trust the process that they get the right man in. But away from the
06:13 manager search, the news came through this week that Steven Alzate has left the club,
06:18 I think after seven seasons at Brighton at Hope Albion. He's a good midfielder, Sam,
06:24 wasn't he? But never really had a regular run in the team. He sort of introduced under
06:28 Graham Potter, then went out on loan a couple of times to the Belgium league. I think there'll
06:33 be a few takers for him, won't there? Having him on a free transfer, you'd have thought.
06:37 I heard Rangers, Glasgow Rangers are supposed to be quite keen.
06:41 Yeah, yeah. And obviously he's a good player who can do a job for a number of teams, I
06:46 think really. And obviously he's at a good age of 25, he can still develop and be moulded
06:52 into a really good midfielder. And as you say, he hasn't really had the opportunity
06:56 to thrive at Brighton. He joined the club in 2017 from Leighton Orient and made 72
07:02 appearances for the club in all competitions, including 52 starts, which almost seems like
07:06 that's a lot, doesn't it? I don't remember making as many, really. But for the last two
07:11 seasons he's been on loan with Standard Liège and Belgium and played 47 times for them in
07:16 all competitions. But yeah, as I mentioned, he is a tidy player and he can do a job for
07:24 a number of teams. I do wish him well for the future and hope he does find a team that
07:29 he can play regularly for. And it was clear that wasn't going to happen at Brighton. So
07:34 yeah, fingers crossed for him that he can go somewhere that he can really kind of show
07:40 that potential that he did show in the early stages for Brighton. But yeah, it's one for
07:46 Brighton to probably replace and another midfielder in to improve their ranks next season. And
07:53 we've obviously mentioned Emile Smith-Rowe, who is potentially one that Brighton could
07:57 bring in. He's a bit of a forgotten man at Arsenal after he broke through a couple of
08:02 seasons there and he was the man on everyone's lips, really.
08:06 Yeah, he broke through a couple of times, didn't he?
08:08 Yeah, exactly. And he's obviously not favoured by Mikel Arteta at the moment. He barely played
08:13 at all when the season just got on. So I think he'll definitely be looking for an exit route
08:17 and for some regular first team football. And that could be a good one for Brighton
08:21 to go for, really. So yeah, time will tell with that one.
08:25 Yeah, it's important. There has been a link with Emile Smith-Rowe and 30 million is the
08:30 figure that you never quite trust these figures, but Arsenal apparently wouldn't stand in his
08:34 way of him leaving. 30 million would be the figure. Henry, do you think that would be
08:39 a good deal for Brighton, someone like that?
08:42 I think it would be reasonable. And we mentioned that he had breakout seasons at Arsenal, but
08:48 the man's only 23. And when you think about it like that, you sort of realise the amount
08:54 of potential he still has and the fact that he has had a few appearances for England as
08:59 well, maybe just a few glimmers of what he can do. I think that he would be a great addition
09:04 to Brighton and having another one of those names that is, I would say, is a more established
09:11 Premier League player than we're used to getting would be really beneficial to us. And we look
09:16 at last season when we got João Pedro and that was for the figure of around 30 million
09:22 as well. I think that he falls into the same category, to be honest with you. I think he
09:28 really does. And I think his attacking play when he's able to get the ball has been second
09:35 to none when he has been on form. He is a bit of a forgotten man, but I think Brighton
09:40 could be the best place for him to go really to not revive his career because he's barely
09:45 had a career as of yet, but just to sort of boost himself, get that game time and actually
09:50 show everyone what he's about. And, you know, he may even be playing for England in the
09:55 next few years if he is able to find a club that he can get some format and actually get
10:00 some game time.
10:01 Yeah, no, I think he'd be I think he would be a good sign in for Brighton. It's obviously
10:06 he's been linked to Kieran Dewsbury, Holt Brighton went for in the previous window.
10:11 So a couple of those, you know, one or two, one or even both of those, especially if Pascal
10:16 Gros is thinking of moving on. Sam, that's going to be an area where Brighton are really
10:21 going to need to strengthen, isn't it?
10:24 Absolutely. Yeah, Pascal Gros is a huge one. I think they really need to keep hold of him
10:29 for at least another season, I think, just with the uncertainty that there will be with
10:33 the new manager and the one person that's remained constant for all the different managers
10:37 Brighton have had is Pascal Gros. So he's been kind of being that gel to keep the team
10:42 together and to really help the manager bed into the team and learn what it's all about.
10:46 I think Pascal Gros should keep part of that as well. So I think it would be vital to keep
10:50 hold of him if Brighton possibly can. But yeah, if he was to go, it's a huge hole to
10:56 fill for multiple reasons. Obviously, his versatility and everything like that is going
11:00 to be almost impossible, I think, to find a like for like replacement to Pascal Gros
11:04 because he really is one of a kind in that sense.
11:07 Yeah.
11:08 But yeah, you mentioned Keenan Dewsbury, he's one that could bring a bit of versatility
11:12 to the team. Obviously, he's one that was linked in January that didn't go through.
11:16 The Brighton could potentially revive that interest. Interesting to see if that was one
11:20 that was being pushed by De Servi or the club. And it's difficult, isn't it? I think with
11:26 transfer targets, it's always very difficult to predict why there's no manager at the club
11:29 because once they get a manager in, he can have completely different ideas for what players
11:33 he would like. So it could be a bit counterproductive to start thinking about the signings before
11:38 you've got a manager in place and it could work against Brighton. So yeah, I think they
11:44 really do need to get this manager situation sorted and have conversations with the players
11:48 and see who's staying on, who's potentially going to be leaving and start to get that
11:52 squad in place for next season.
11:55 Who else would you like to see come in, Sam? Which other areas do you think Brighton need
12:00 to strengthen this season?
12:02 I think another striker, Dennis Indov is obviously going to be leaving. He's obviously spoken
12:07 very publicly about his desire to stay at Stuttgart. So I think another striker would
12:14 be a real bonus. I think Evan Ferguson is obviously only going to improve on his season.
12:20 Hopefully he can stay fit. He's had some injury problems. Obviously we know that Danny Wohlbeck
12:24 is staying for at least another season, so that's great for his experience and he can
12:29 keep working alongside Evan Ferguson. But I think definitely another striker and as
12:34 we've seen with injury problems, how quickly it can go wrong in that sense. Obviously you've
12:39 got Xiao Petro there as well, so if he can keep fit as well. It's going to be difficult
12:45 because obviously if you're going to try and sign a striker, they'll be looking at it and
12:47 thinking Brighton do have some real quality attacking players. It's just a case of whether
12:53 they think they're going to get regular minutes or if they're happy to be a bit part player
12:58 that can play minutes here and there when there's injuries and whatnot. So it's definitely
13:01 a difficult one. That's half the reason why Dennis Sindelf was let go on loan. In a way,
13:06 in hindsight, I regretted that because of how well he's done over in Germany. So yeah,
13:12 lots of questions really in that sense. I think he'd be one for the new manager to ponder
13:16 really. But I think definitely a striker. I think there's various other positions you
13:21 really think you'd get. Maybe a bit of backup in defence in midfield to help Carlos Beledra
13:27 to maybe give him a bit more experience, I guess. Because obviously you've got two young
13:31 holding midfielders in Billy Gilmore and Beledra who are very young. If you get someone with
13:35 maybe a bit more experience to help them out when times are tough, that can only help as
13:39 well.
13:40 Yeah, yeah, no, I agree. An experienced head would be good in there. But join us after
13:44 the break and we'll be looking at Brighton Home Foulplayers who will be on international
13:49 duty throughout the summer.
13:53 Thanks again for joining us on the Goalmouth Action podcast. We're talking about all things
13:59 Brighton and Hooghouwbien. This summer we've got the Euros to look forward to and also
14:04 the Copa America where Brighton will have a few players over there representing the
14:09 club. But we'll start, Henry, with Bart Verbruggen who's going to be the Dutch number one goalkeeper.
14:19 Ronald Koeman confirmed that he's the main man going into the Euros. That's a huge boost
14:25 of confidence, isn't it, for Verbruggen at age just 21?
14:31 Yeah, as you say, age 21, it's a great achievement for him. We know that the lifespan of goalkeepers
14:41 is that much longer than other outfield players. So it's just fantastic to see that he's being
14:49 given that privilege and being able to have that game time. I think when he came with
14:55 us this season, I think there were a few moments of uncertainty, a few moments where you'd
15:01 think that maybe the goalkeeper should have saved it or should have kept hold of it and
15:05 conceded a few goals in that aspect. But I think Brighton fans can forgive that because
15:10 of the talent that we've got on our hands. It was very similar to watching De Gea in
15:14 his first half season at Manchester United when he was in between the sticks. A few mistakes
15:22 made there and there were a few instances where some fans at the time were saying, 'Oh,
15:27 we're not sure about this young goalkeeper', but he did do absolutely amazingly. I think
15:33 that Brighton have got themselves a real gem in Verbruggen. I hope he does well and I hope
15:38 he's able to enforce his confidence and bring that into Brighton for next season. Because
15:45 I think whoever we get in, it will be another manager that will look to play from the back
15:51 and attack on those wings. So to have Verbruggen v2 maybe next season with that little bit
15:58 more confidence, that little bit more swagger in passing it about and just making sure the
16:04 defence have a good morale and a good relaxed base to trust their goalkeeper would be fantastic
16:11 for us.
16:12 He looks a confident character, doesn't he? I think if he has a good Euros this summer
16:19 then that would be great for Brighton. But just going through the list, so Brighton have
16:24 got Dennis Ndev, he's going to be at Germany. Pascal Gross, also Germany. Verbruggen, Holland,
16:30 the Netherlands. Billy Gilmore, Scotland. Lewis Dunk, hopefully he'll make the cut.
16:36 I saw James Madison was left out of the squad, isn't he? He's going to be left out. Is it
16:43 Saturday that Southgate will announce the final squad, isn't it Sam?
16:49 I think so, yeah. I think it is Saturday. The game against Iceland is on Friday, so
16:54 it's a chance to test some players out and test some of the systems it will be using
16:59 in the Euros and to work out. But obviously he's made that early decision on James Madison
17:03 not to bring him. I was a bit surprised by that actually because he can really offer
17:08 something different. It just shows the level of quality in the squad that you can afford
17:14 to leave out someone of the quality of James Madison really. Time will tell if Lewis Dunk
17:18 makes it.
17:19 He played quite well against Bosnia, didn't he? He looked quite good. Was it 73 minutes?
17:25 Yes, 73 minutes. He got a clean sheet, so that's always positive. He looks more composed
17:32 and obviously he's going to have bigger and better attackers to deal with in the Euros.
17:38 But I think he did a good job and hopefully Gareth Southgate sees fit to include him in
17:45 the squad because we know from following Brighton just how brilliant Lewis Dunk is and how much
17:50 of a cool head he is. He can really be a vital figure in that England squad really. I'd really
17:56 like to see him go well into the Euros.
18:00 Good luck to him. There's also Jacob Moda as well. He's coming back to fitness. He'll
18:07 be in for Poland. Valentin Barco, he's hoping to make the Argentina team for the Copa America.
18:14 Julio Enciso as well with Paraguay. He should be in the Copa America. Jeremy Sarmiento and
18:21 also Tom McGill, the goalkeeper, who will be going with Canada as well. He's the third
18:26 choice goalkeeper at Brighton. Who are you looking forward to watching this summer, Henry,
18:32 from the Brighton players?
18:33 Well, I'd have to say Lewis Dunk, especially if he is included. I think that would be a
18:41 big one for us. I do hope he's brought in because I know that he's had some issues,
18:46 especially when he was played against Belgium and he got done by Lukaku. Literally the week
18:54 before it was almost a very similar situation against Roma. I just thought, "Oh, I felt
19:00 so sorry for him."
19:01 Me too.
19:02 But I think that he'd be a great one to watch. Also, maybe one that isn't to be expected,
19:09 but Julio Enciso and Jacob Moder. I think that Jacob Moder first. Xherbi had said in
19:16 a press conference previously when he was coming back from injury at the Albion that
19:19 he brings something a lot different to his other options at the team. I think he just
19:25 is building his confidence back up through the injury and time that he's had out. It
19:30 will be really interesting to see how he performs because he could be a standout player for
19:35 Brighton next season if he picks up a bit of form. He was getting some game time near
19:39 the end of the season as well, which was great to see. It will be interesting to see if the
19:44 next manager that comes in will offer him that game time and a chance to come back as
19:49 well or if he'll end up like Alzate and just not get that opportunity again. With Enciso,
19:57 the creativity that he gives us is immaculate. It's really great to see. That will be another
20:04 interesting watch for Albion fans.
20:06 It would be great for Enciso as well. Similar to Verbruggen, a good Copa America but then
20:27 a bit more in their group. That's going to be a big summer for him, isn't it, Sam, after
20:33 the injuries he's had?
20:34 Who are you saying that?
20:35 Julio Enciso.
20:36 Julio Enciso.
20:37 He's really been hampered by injuries this season in Enciso. He obviously missed a huge
20:46 chunk and he's been such a brilliant player for Brighton when he's played. He really burst
20:51 onto the scene the season before last and scored some incredible goals. Obviously no
20:56 better than against Chelsea and Man City. Just following up from that, you really expected
21:02 him to kick on and have an even better season. As I say, injuries really did hamper him.
21:08 When he came back, it took a little bit of time to settle back into the team but it was
21:12 just in that final stretch of the season that he really did start to show what he can do
21:17 again and was really showing some brilliant performances. He's really impressive again.
21:23 I think the end of the season came at a bad time for him. I really hope he has a great
21:29 Copa America and he can come back from that with full of confidence and can help Brighton
21:34 get off to a brilliant start in the new season. I think he's going to be crucial. I think
21:38 for any new manager coming into Brighton, they'll look at him as being someone they
21:41 can really mould the team around a little bit and to really benefit from his abilities
21:47 and his talents. The sky's the limit for him, really. I think, Sam, I've not seen, those
21:52 two goals I mentioned, I've not seen many players strike the ball as well as him. He's
21:56 such an energetic player as well. He can turn defence into attack really quickly. He's a
22:01 great player to watch. I'm looking forward to watching him for Copa America. Billy Gilmore
22:07 is another one I'm looking forward to seeing for Scotland in the Euros. We know what he
22:12 can do and he's such a key figure for Brighton and Scotland. It'll be really great to see
22:17 what he can do in the Euros for his country. Obviously, a tough group that they're in.
22:22 They're up against Germany.
22:24 First game, isn't it?
22:25 Yeah, that'll be great games to watch. I'm really looking forward to that. You mentioned
22:32 Bart Verbruggen, I'm really keen to see how he does for the Netherlands in goal. He's
22:37 had a great season. I think just coming up to the end of the season, he really was the
22:40 number one after chopping and changing between Jason Stiltz and Verbruggen throughout the
22:45 season. Verbruggen really was the one that deservedly settled on towards the end of the
22:49 season. I hope that he can continue that form for his country and for the club next season.
22:55 Yeah, it'll be good. Also, Valentin Barco, Henry, he looked pretty good in the back end
23:03 of last season. He's in with a chance, isn't he, of making the Argentina final cut as well.
23:13 That just shows again how Brighton have really got another great player on their hands.
23:20 Definitely. At 19 years old, his confidence has been building at the Albion with the game
23:27 time that he's been given, coming off the bench in his starting appearances and then
23:32 making his name on the team sheet a couple of times as well, which was good to see. I
23:37 think there were a few mistakes made, especially when Brighton got thumped a little bit at
23:42 Manchester City when they were at home. A few mistakes around the back that were seen.
23:48 Roberto Deserbi commented on that after the game when he was manager and was just saying
23:53 that he's just building his confidence. Yes, he's made mistakes, but he was one of our
23:56 best players on the pitch, which just shows the talent that Brighton are able to get at
24:05 the club is really remarkable. I think lots of football fans commend Brighton for that.
24:11 I think he's another one of those players where with a little bit of confidence and
24:15 potentially getting into that Argentina squad, he could have a game-changing, world-beating
24:21 form of play and start and hit the ground running for Brighton. It would be really interesting
24:29 to see how our young players perform actually, because I think that would just give us a
24:33 lot more confidence.
24:34 Yes, I agree. That left-back spot at Brighton is going to be up for grabs, isn't it? With
24:41 Pervis's stupendium, he's going to be injured for the start of the beginning of next season.
24:47 It could be between Igor Julio and Valentin Barco for that left-back spot. Yes, one to
24:56 keep an eye on. Thank you very much for joining us, Henry, and to Sam as well. You can catch
25:03 up with all the latest sports news covering everything we've talked about today at sussexworld.co.uk
25:09 and you can watch more excellent videos on shotstv.com and Freeview channel 276. Thanks
25:15 again.