In Focus: Future is Bright for table-topping Seagulls

Brighton have picked up where they left off last season — winning games and scoring goals for fun.

Roberto De Zerbi's side sit top of the Premier League after easing to 4-1 victories in both of their opening outings, despite supposedly suffering a summer of upheaval following the exits of Alexis Mac Allister and Moises Caicedo.

Their quick start provides yet more evidence of Albion being one of the most impressive clubs in the country.

Rinse and repeat

Selling seven first-teamers for £15million or more in the last 15 months might have been a recipe for disaster but Brighton are the perfect example of a club using player sales to their advantage.

The Seagulls lost Yves Bissouma and Marc Cucurella last summer, as well as manager Graham Potter, yet went on to enjoy the best campaign in their history as they qualified for the Europa League via a sixth-place finish.

And the early signs are that the club are once again well positioned to deal with the high-profile departures of Caicedo and Mac Allister this time around. 

There has been no downturn for Albion, whose new signings have all hit the ground running and helped their side to top spot after two matches.

Strength in depth

Despite losing two of their biggest stars, Brighton's knack for sourcing quality players at low prices means they have strength in depth that opponents must envy.

De Zerbi was able to leave £30m signing Joao Pedro out of his line-up at Wolves on Saturday and there was no drop-off as Julio Enciso stepped up with two impressive assists.

Mahmoud Dahoud, Evan Ferguson and Joel Veltman also appeared from the bench, with Simon Adingra and Jan Paul van Hecke not required.

Tariq Lamptey and Facundo Buonanotte are also comfortably good enough to start but did not even make the 20-man squad, suggesting that juggling European football will not be a problem.

Next big thing

Kaoru Mitoma looks destined to be Brighton's next £100m sale after making a stunning start to the season.

The Japanese international, 26, scored 10 goals and assisted seven in 2022-23 and has started this term in ominous form.

His goal at Wolves on Saturday showcased the Seagulls star at his best, speedily dribbling beyond helpless defenders before calmly finishing into the corner.

De Zerbi said afterwards: "Mitoma is a top player and when you have a top player you can expect goals like today."

Every European giant will have an eye on adding the winger to their squad — but Brighton have made enough money to keep hold of him for now.

The mastermind

Brighton's ability to lose talent and find an even better replacement extends to the dugout, where De Zerbi has been an upgrade on Potter.

Though his side are still vulnerable defensively at times, he has taken the attacking side of their game to a new level.

The Italian's tactical approach, lulling the opposition into pressing his centre-backs to create space further up the field, is arguably the most influential in English football since Pep Guardiola arrived at Manchester City.

Brighton will back themselves to replace their gaffer should he move on but, with plenty of the finest young players in the country at his disposal, there is no rush for him to depart.