Brighton & Hove Albion

Chris Collinson
BBC Sport football statistician

With their first foray into Europe to enjoy, Brighton were not as impressive in the Premier League last season as when they finished sixth in 2022-23. In fact, Albion scored 17 fewer goals and conceded nine more.

However, their underlying numbers in terms of shots and expected goals - while still worse than the previous season - were better than goals suggest. This means that while he may have a bit of work to do at both ends of the pitch, new head coach Fabian Hurzeler inherits good foundations.

One thing that did not change over the past two campaigns was how much Brighton dominated the ball. This trend will likely continue as their young boss' St Pauli side enjoyed the second-most possession in the German second tier last season.

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The draw for the second round of the Carabao Cup will take place on Wednesday at the conclusion of the first-round tie between Leeds United and Middlesbrough.

Thirteen Premier League clubs will enter in the second round, as will Luton Town and Burnley, who were relegated from the top flight in 18th and 19th positions last season.

The draw for round two will be regionalised into northern and southern sections.

The seven Premier League clubs playing in European competitions in 2024-25, including Carabao Cup holders Liverpool, will come in at the third-round stage.

The key dates for the competition are as follows:

• Second round - w/c 26 August

• Third round - w/c 16 and w/c 23 September

• Fourth round - w/c 28 October

• Quarter-finals - w/c 16 December

• Semi-finals - w/c 6 January (first leg) and w/c 3 February

• Final - 16 March

Follow Wednesday's action and then the full draw here from 19:30 BST

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At Wednesday's Brighton fans' forum broadcast live on BBC Radio Sussex, new head coach Fabian Hurzeler was asked about how the club will attempt to avoid a repeat of the injury problems that affected the squad last season.

"Of course we have to be careful and get opinions from the players about how fast we can go with our identity and how fast we can introduce the intensity during training sessions and games," Hurzeler said.

"I know there were some injuries [last season], and there are always several reasons why injuries happen. For me, it's important to have great experts in the staff - we have some changes and I completely trust my staff.

"I have worked with them for six weeks and I really feel their knowledge and passion for the club. In the end, I always take responsibility on my side if injuries happen because I control the training and the intensity of training.

"They should take responsibility for the things they do and make brave decisions, because they always should know that I value them, and if something happens I take the responsibility myself."

Listen to the full fans' forum on BBC Sounds

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At Wednesday's Brighton fans' forum broadcast live on BBC Radio Sussex, deputy chairman Paul Barber was asked about how the club will attempt to avoid a repeat of the injury problems that affected the squad last season.

"Last season was very different for a number of reasons," he explained. "Firstly the number of games we played, the intensity of those games [and] the fact that added time was absolute so we were playing games that were 10-15% longer.

"To put that in the context of any other athlete: if you were training for a marathon and during that marathon someone told you it would be another three or four miles, the chances are you might break down in those last few miles.

"A whole combination of things came into play last season. It was the first time we'd played in four top-level competitions and we learned a lot, our medical staff learned a lot, Roberto [de Zerbi] and his staff I'm sure learned a lot. So there were a number of different factors on why the injury list was longer than we would have liked.

"We could even go back to the [2022] World Cup in the winter, which meant the players had a shorter break the following summer. They are not excuses, they're just facts.

"Every club in the Premier League had more injuries overall, we all lost minutes from key players at key times. We are conditioning players now to work in the way Fabian wants and we've hired some world-class medical staff to support us."

Listen to the full fans' forum on BBC Sounds

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BBC World Service introduce you to the five bosses who will be making their managerial debuts in the Premier League this season in a special podcast on BBC Sounds.

Sportsworld’s John Bennett is joined by German football podcaster Matthew Karagich to discuss Brighton's new head coach Fabian Hurzeler.

"In the space of 18 months he turned St. Pauli, a team on the verge of relegation, to not only promotion candidates but champions of Bundesliga 2," said Karagich. "It’s been quite a quick rise for him.

"He was the assistant coach under Timo Schultz at St. Pauli and then when St. Pauli departed from Schultz, I suppose for a lot of outsiders Hurzeler was relatively unknown.

"But we saw someone who was able to instil a lot of confidence. One thing you could say about them is they had a never-say-die attitude - they would always just have a go. There should be a lot of excitement as we now get to see, in arguably the best league in the world, what someone of his age and stature can accomplish.

"He’s got a mix of footballing philosophies. The Bayern DNA played a bit of a pivotal role in his upbringing as a player, and he’s implemented that as a coach. He wants to dominate the ball."

"He’s pretty unique. I would say he’s not your typical what you would picture a manager to be. He’s not a suit-and-tie operator - he’s a tracksuit-and-white- trainers.

Listen to the Introducing the Premier League’s new managers podcast on BBC Sounds

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Fabian Hurzeler became the Premier League's youngest permanent manager when, aged 31, he took charge of Brighton earlier this summer.

Hurzeler joined the Seagulls having won promotion to the Bundesliga with St Pauli last season.

At Wednesday's Brighton fans' forum broadcast live on BBC Radio Sussex, Hurzeler was asked if he wanted to make a statement like other German coaches have done previously in England, and also whether he viewed the Seagulls as a "stepping stone" in his career or if he was ready to "make a change" at Brighton.

"I'm here for the success of the club," said Hurzeler. "I don't have to shine individually. I want to improve players and the squad. I will give everything I have to this club and for the success of this club. We can achieve things together.

"I don't see myself as most important. It is more about giving my knowledge and my passion to the players and the club and to you [supporters]."

Hurzeler was asked for a message to supporters before the club's opening Premier League game at Everton on Saturday.

"Like I said at the beginning, this feels more like a community and family than a football club," he said. "This family and this togetherness will be key to our success.

"Thank you for giving me this feeling. We are all sitting together in the same boat. I try to get the view of most of you because you represent and support the club.

"If we are on the same page and follow one big goal with everything we have, I think we can achieve big things."

Listen to the full fans' forum on BBC Sounds

Brighton have made an approach for 26-year-old French defender Olivier Boscagli, but PSV Eindhoven want much more than Albion have offered. (Eindhovens Dagblad - in Dutch), external

Want more transfer news? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

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Listen back as BBC Radio Sussex presents a Brighton fans' forum, with new head coach Fabian Hurzeler and deputy chairman Paul Barber answering questions before the Seagulls return to Premier League action on Saturday.

You can listen on BBC Sounds here

Scott McCarthy
Fan writer

Where will you finish in the league and why?

Absolutely no idea. My suspicion, though, is that it will be sink or swim.

Fabian Hurzeler is either going to have Brighton challenging for Europe again and everyone praising the genius of Tony Bloom for appointing him. Or Sami Hyypia Version 2. Nothing in between.

Who is the best signing or has he not signed yet and who should it be?

Having been bitten in the past by the likes of Jurgen Locadia and Alireza Jahanbakhsh, I am always a bit wary of making signings based what they did in the Eredivisie.

But Yankuba Minteh seems to have brought his form on loan at Feyenoord last year to Brighton in pre-season so far. Newcastle's loss can be the Seagulls' gain.

What do you want from your manager this season?

Fireworks, a la Roberto de Zerbi. After sacking Gus Poyet in 2013, every appointment Bloom made until De Zerbi was someone he could trust not to go berserk in public. Hopefully Hurzeler is going to keep up the entertainment rather than be a return to the geography teacher demeanour of Graham Potter.

Who will be the breakout star in your squad?

"Then I saw his face... it's Carlos Baleba!" Showed glimpses of potential last season, a hybrid of Moises Caicedo for reading the game and Yves Bissouma for ball-carrying.

Hurzeler used a dynamic midfielder as a libero at St Pauli, who would push into midfield from defence when they had possession. Baleba looks tailor-made for such a role.

What is your one major concern?

Pascal Gross leaving. He scored or assisted 17 goals last season, nearly 25% of Brighton's total. How do you replace that? Him joining Dortmund is the most upset I have been since EastEnders killed off Ronnie and Roxy Mitchell.

Scott McCarthy can be found at We Are Brighton, external

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

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Brighton are in talks with Mainz’s highly-rated German Under-21 international Brajan Gruda over a £25m move to the Premier League.

Sources say there is still work to do on the deal but there is optimism at Brighton that the transfer will be completed and Gruda will sign a long-term contract.

The 20-year-old was tipped to make Germany’s Euro 2024 squad but his hopes were dashed by a calf injury.

Gruda was heavily linked with a move to Bayern Munich earlier this summer but Brighton now appear to be heading the chase to sign him, with new boss Fabian Hurzeler known to be a big fan.

On Tuesday night you can listen to the Brighton fans' forum on BBC Radio Sussex from 1900 BST. You can access it live here.

After a long summer break, BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club is back in action this evening.

Tune in as the panel cover all the major talking points from the summer and look ahead to Premier League football returning at the weekend.

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

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The curtain opens on the 2024-25 Premier League season in just a matter of days, so why not take a look at how all 20 clubs performed in pre-season?

The games have been spread across the globe, from Tokyo and New York to Crawley and Preston.

See the results here

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The six-player shortlist for the PFA Young Player of the Year award have been announced.

Chelsea's Cole Palmer, 22, is the favourite after enjoying an excellent Premier League season, scoring 22 goals and providing 11 assists.

Bukayo Saka, also 22, of Arsenal makes the list after another fine season and standout performances for England during their run to the Euro 2024 final.

Representing Manchester United on the shortlist are Kobbie Mainoo, 19, and Alejandro Garnacho, 20 - the team's FA Cup final goalscorers.

They are joined by Michael Olise, 22, who moved from Crystal Palace to Bayern Munich this summer, and Brighton and Hove Albion's Joao Pedro, 22, who scored 20 goals in all competitions.

Shortlist for Men's PFA Young Player of the Year

Cole Palmer

Bukayo Saka

Kobbie Mainoo

Alejandro Garnacho

Michael Olise

Joao Pedro

The winners will be announced at the PFA Awards ceremony in Manchester on August 20.

We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's pre-season friendly between Brighton and Villarreal.

Here are some of your comments:

Shiny: They looked like a team of players that wanted to be part of the squad. All played their part in a very entertaining performance, the amount of effort put in was way beyond what you’d expect from a friendly. The future looks bright.

Will: Amazing. I seriously believe they will make Champions League.

Andrew: First half the defence looked porous and I'm trying to understand the tactical plan. But some very flexible play where players must have great trust in each other. It won't be boring this season. Deep breath and here we go!

Sam: Exciting times. We will score a load and concede a load too. High octane stuff that will keep fans on the edge of their seats. Cannot wait for Everton next week!

Hugh: Against Villarreal this looked like peak Brighton from the start of the previous season. Free flowing, crisp passing and constant harrying of opponents. Some defensive mistakes here and there but this was a good side they were up against who also offered plenty of attacking threat. What a front four Pedro, Minteh, Mitoma and Welbeck are!

Image source, PA Media

Brighton rounded off their pre-season campaign with a resounding victory over La Liga side Villareal at Amex Stadium.

Two goals from Danny Welbeck and one apiece from Joao Pedro and Yankuba Minteh warmed Albion up nicely for next week's opening Premier League fixture against Everton.

What did you make of the performance?

And what are your first impressions of Fabian Hurzeler's reign?

Let us know your thoughts here, external - and return on Monday to read the submissions

The Premier League season is fast approaching and clubs are continuing their pre-season preparations.

Here's a look at some of the teams in action on a busy Saturday.

All times BST

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Brighton technical director David Weir says the Seagulls wanted to keep Deniz Undav at the club, but the striker's desire to play Champions League football was a factor in his move to Stuttgart for an undisclosed fee.

The 28-year-old spent last season on loan at Stuttgart, helping them finish second in the Bundesliga.

Weir said: "Deniz wants to play Champions League football and continue his time with Stuttgart, and while we would have liked to have kept him as part of the squad, his preference was to make his move permanent.

"Once he'd made that clear, our priority was to ensure that Stuttgart met the valuation of the player.

"That's now been achieved and we would like to thank Deniz for his time at the club and wish him well for the future."

Leicester City are nearing a loan deal for 19-year-old Argentina and Brighton midfielder Facundo Buonanotte. (Mail), external

Want more transfer news? Read Friday's full gossip column

Pat Nevin
Former footballer and presenter

Right now, brinkmanship is the name of the game. There have been times when some clubs sorted their transfer business early in the window and everyone wondered why so few others followed their lead. Put simply, it isn't in the selling clubs' financial interest, and it usually isn't in the moving player's financial interest either, to go early.

A selling club wants a bidding war to up the price and they don't mind a bit of panic buying when the window is creaking ever nearer the sill. If you still haven't signed that star player who you think, hope or maybe even actually believe, will make all the difference, clubs can get twitchy and make rash costly decisions.

I have watched it happen from within. Good intentions and a willingness to stick to a pre-arranged budget, suddenly evaporates when clubs are bounced into making these calls. There is also a bit of pride in there too. "We aren't losing out on our first choice to that lot!" is a common refrain, especially when it's to one of your close rivals.

As for the moving player, or more specifically his agent, last-minute brinkmanship is the dream scenario. Playing two or three suitors off against each other (and you don't even have to tell the truth of what you are being offered elsewhere) means you can exaggerate as much as you like to up the ante.

So that is why the deals go to the wire, and why they are so lucrative. It is also why I never have too much sympathy for a player, when a huge deal falls through at the last moment. Greed can push it too far in the end and it can all come crashing down, which is why they call it brinkmanship! If you dance on the edge of a volcano you might just fall in.

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A quarter of the managers in the Premier League will be taking charge of an English top-flight game for the first time on the opening weekend of the season.

They are Arne Slot at Liverpool, Enzo Maresca at Chelsea, Russell Martin at Southampton, Kieran McKenna at Ipswich and Fabian Hurzeler at Brighton.

So, what can you expect from the quintet?

Slot led Feyenoord to the 2022-23 Eredivisie title, and the Dutch Cup last season. Reds midfielder Harvey Elliott says his playing philosophy is a typically "elegant" Dutch style - compared to Jurgen Klopp's 'heavy metal football'.

Maresca prefers a heavy possession-based style - which is how he has started his reign at Chelsea too - and was sometimes criticised for his reluctance to make substitutions while at Leicester City.

It is possession-based football that Martin has brought to Southampton too but fans and local media have warned he will need to be smarter with style this season.

McKenna is considered one of the top managerial prospects around. His expansive brand of football saw Ipswich gain promotion with successive second-placed finishes, scoring 101 goals in League One and 92 in the Championship.

Hurzeler, who joined Brighton from German second-tier side St Pauli, is the least known name in England of the managers on this list. He is known for his passionate side line antics and his teams dominating games on the ball.

Read more on what each manager has to offer here

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Brighton's Jack Hinshelwood says he now has two weeks to "dust off the cobwebs" before the start of the Premier League season after making his return from injury in the pre-season win over QPR.

Hinshelwood, 19, made his first-team breakthrough last season but has been sidelined since needing surgery on a foot injury in February.

He told BBC Radio Sussex: "It has been a long six months and right since the start I've been itching to be back out on the pitch.

"It wasn't perfect but it's just nice to be out there. It gives me two weeks to dust off the cobwebs before the start of the Premier League season.

"I was disappointed not to get minutes in Japan but it probably wasn't the right time. Especially with this injury, we don't want to rush things. It was most important getting me back fit and getting me back on the pitch."

Since his most recent appearance, Fabian Hurzeler has succeeded Roberto de Zerbi as Brighton boss and Hinshelwood believes Hurzeler is building on the foundations laid over the past few successful seasons.

He said: "His [Hurzeler's] identity and way of playing is very intense and exciting as well but I've really enjoyed working under him so far. It has its adaptations but it's similar to what we've been doing. It's the club's philosophy what we've been doing the last three or four years, even since Graham [Potter] was here, it's still a similar way of playing.

"I think the gaffer now is demanding a lot more intensity in our play and making things happen."

Another change at the Seagulls is the departure of long-serving midfielder Pascal Gross and Hinshelwood praised the German's impact on his young career.

"I remember in my first session him bedding me in and I try to take some parts of my game from his as well as his versatility," said Hinshelwood.

"I've learned so much from him and I'm really happy for him because he's got to go and play for his boyhood club and I think he'll go down as an Albion legend.

"I'm really happy for him but I'm going to miss him lots as well."

Listen to the full chat on BBC Sounds

Brighton have made contact with former Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund defender Mats Hummels, who is a free agent. Hummels, 35, won the World Cup with Germany in 2014, although the Seagulls could face competition from West Ham. (Sky Sports), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column