In Focus: Solly's scoring surge helping Seagulls March on

After a summer crammed full of uncertainty and upheaval, Brighton have enjoyed a dream start to the new Premier League campaign.

Roberto De Zerbi's Seagulls are the division's early frontrunners after two resounding 4-1 wins, helping allay any fears about life after the departed duo Alexis Mac Allister and Moises Caicedo.

Crucial to that hot start has been midfielder Solly March, who has responded to his manager's call for more goals by netting three times in his opening two outings.

Ahead of a Saturday evening clash with West Ham, we run the rule over March's new-found prolific touch. 

Familiar face

An East Sussex boy who joined the club as a fresh-faced 17-year-old, March already holds cult hero status at the Amex.

The 29-year-old is approaching 300 games for the Seagulls in all competitions and alongside fellow stalwarts Lewis Dunk and Pascal Gross has been a mainstay in a glorious Premier League stint now in its seventh season.

The left-footer's fine work-rate and impressive passing range have seen him remain a regular starter during the tenures of Chris Houghton, Graham Potter and now De Zerbi — as has his versatility. 

March is comfortable playing on either flank, in a central attacking midfield role or even as a wing-back.

Finishing touch

Goalscoring is a very recent addition to March's arsenal.

In his first 156 Premier League appearances, he netted just four goals. In the 21 that have followed, he has bagged 10.

It has been a scarcely believable upturn, prompted by his impressive Italian coach who swiftly identified untapped potential.

Speaking last February about how March could improve, De Zerbi said: "Attack the space better. To start to come inside and keep the ball. He needs to shoot more."

March even confirmed a specific target has been set this term after his weekend brace.

He explained: "The manager has set me a target of 15 goals, so there is still a long way to go but it is a good start."

Following the blueprint

March's transformation into a goalscoring winger under De Zerbi has many parallels with that of Italian international Domenico Berardi.

When the 44-year-old coach arrived at Sassuolo in 2018, right winger Berardi had notched only 16 goals in his previous three Serie A campaigns.

During De Zerbi's three seasons at the helm, Berardi bagged 39 times in his country's top flight — form which saw him establish himself as an Azzurri regular.

The tactician's preferred patterns of play create countless opportunities for wide players, provided they make the correct runs into the box. 

Judging by his No7's two strikes against Wolves — busting a gut to finish off a pair of low crosses — the penny has firmly dropped.

New heights

If March hits his 15-goal target, it may just push him into England contention.

A former Under-21s international, Gareth Southgate knows the Brighton ace well and was watching on for the winger's latest two-goal salvo.

Earlier this year, Southgate said: "At the moment, I don't see Solly ahead of Marcus Rashford, Jack Grealish, Phil Foden or Bukayo Saka in those positions."

At 29, many will feel March's chance of representing his country has been and gone.

Yet under De Zerbi's tutelage, scaling previously unreached heights is all in a day's work.