After a really good personal season in the Ligue 1, Branco van den Boomen signed with Ajax (from Toulouse). Being one of the key pieces in this Toulouse squad, we can see that van den Boomen was one of the top performing players in the Ligue 1 (TEAM OF THE SEASON: LIGUE 1 22-23). Being one of the best Midfielders (Ms) in the Ligue 1, it was expected that van den Booomen could have the opportunity to move to one of Europe’s big clubs (like Ajax). The Dutch player will have the opportunity to play a lot of minutes in Ajax’s midfield and, looking at the average ratings obtained, we can expect great performances.
The squad led by Roberto De Zerbi finished the season in sixth place, a position that grants acess to the European Competitions. In terms of coaching, with Graham Potter’s departure for Chelsea, Roberto De Zerbi was hired and managed to change the team from a Back 5 formation to a Back 4 formation. Brighton, after the change, managed to present an attractive and attacking football. To understand the individual impact of the player to this team, we present the average ratings of the players in a Back 4 (primary formation) and in a Back 5. In addition, this players must meet the necessary minutes requirement to be considered (minimum 450 minutes played in the season in a type of predefined defense: Back 4 or Back 5).
Brighton’s eleven with the most minutes played this season (Premier League).
Star Player:
P. Groß (M&W) – 7.95
In this squad, Brighton’s versatile player – Pascal Groß – was the player with the highest average rating. Being a player that can play almost all positions, Groß had a great impact in midfield and on the wing, helping Brighton reach European Competitions.
Other Key Players:
S. March (M&W) – 7.80
L. Dunk (CB) – 7.74
M. Caicedo (M) – 7.60
Mac Allister (M&W) – 7.46
K. Mitoma (W) – 7.44
With a lot of players having incredible seasons, we need emphasise the average rating obtained by P. Groß, the German multi-purpose player.
Additional information regarding the team (Primeira Liga).
With more positive results at home than away (10 Home Wins & 8 Away Wins), it is possible to consider Brighton a better team when playing at home. Besides that, the positive goal difference highlights the great offensive output (1,89 goal per game) with a not so good defensive setup (1,39 goals per game).
Brighton’s players in a Back 5 Defense (Minimum 450 minutes played in this competition).
In the 2022-2023 Season, Brighton used the Back 5 in the start of the season. The obvious distinctions from the Graham Potter phase goes to Pascal Groß and Mac Allister, players that obtained average ratings in the range of only the best players in their positions.
Positions most in need of strengthening:
FB and GK;
With a lack of players with good average ratings in this positions, Brighton needs to reinforce their squad in the Goalkeeper and Right-Back positions. If Brighton can reinforce these positions, keeping a large part of the squad, it is possible that they could fight, again, for European qualification.
