AFCON star Adingra can fill Mitoma's shoes for Seagulls

Simon Adingra has enjoyed a superb 2024 for club and country so far.

The winger, 22, was a key man during Ivory Coast's Africa Cup of Nations triumph on home soil, grabbing two assists in the final against Nigeria.

He has continued that fine form since returning to action for Brighton, bagging an impressive brace in a 5-0 victory at Sheffield United.

And with fellow wide man Kaoru Mitoma ruled out for the rest of the season, Adingra looks set to become one of Roberto De Zerbi's key forwards as the Seagulls fight on multiple fronts.

Ahead of their FA Cup fifth-round clash at Wolves, we turn the spotlight on the talented attacker.

Hero's welcome

Much like Ivory Coast did as a team, Adingra's influence at the AFCON grew with each passing game.

Having missed the first two games through injury, he came off the bench to score in the quarter-finals against Mali, before starting both the semi-final and final.

And with the hosts 1-0 down in the showpiece against the Super Eagles, the Seagulls starlet proceeded to write himself into national folklore with two brilliant second-half assists.

The first came from an inswinging corner that allowed Franck Kessie to level the game with his head, before he brilliantly took on his man and teed up Sebastien Haller for a late winner.

Back to business

With the jubilant celebrations now concluded, Adingra quickly turned his attention back to Brighton and returns to a side who certainly had been missing his presence.

He and Mitoma's international engagements left De Zerbi with a lack of natural width in his forward line, resulting in some inconsistent performances.

But with the duo returning against the Blades, Brighton looked back to their fluid best as Adingra helped himself to a Bramall Lane brace.

Main man

Japanese star Mitoma's season-ending injury therefore comes as a crushing blow to De Zerbi's men, who have Europa League glory and further continental qualification in their sights this term.

But as is often the case on the South Coast, several young guns are ready to make themselves the club's next breakthrough star.

Given Adingra is enjoying his first campaign in England following a productive loan with Union Saint-Gilloise, even he may not have expected to feature so regularly this term.

Yet his 25 appearances in 2023-24 across all competitions have spawned seven goals and a further three assists.

Full of confidence after his AFCON exploits, the Ivorian will back himself to add to that tally in the coming weeks.

Time to shine

With a fearlessness and willingness to take players on, it is easy to see why Adingra is a perfect fit for De Zerbi's full throttle style of football.

He ranks just behind Mitoma for attempted take-ons this term (4.63 per 90 minutes) and will undoubtedly be the man now tasked with providing the flair in the Italian's adventurous XI.

Added responsibility brings with it a new-found pressure to the young star ahead of a stacked schedule of Premier League, Europa League and FA Cup fixtures.

But having delivered on one of the biggest stages of all for his country, it should be yet another step up the AFCON winner takes in his stride.