Adrian Clarke looks at key tactical points and players who can be decisive in Matchweek 3.
Player analysis: Pascal Gross (Brighton & Hove Albion)
The departure of Moises Caicedo and Alexis Mac Allister means there is a space for somebody else to take over the mantle as Brighton’s main man in central midfield.
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Based on his performance levels in 2022/23 and across the opening two matches of this season, Gross looks equipped to handle that responsibility.
Moved infield from the hybrid right-back berth that he occupied for much of 2022/23, Gross is a solid anchor for Roberto De Zerbi’s free-scoring Seagulls.
Up against a new-look West Ham United midfield that could feature James Ward-Prowse and Edson Alvarez, Gross is expected to be the player who knits everything together for Brighton.
All-action midfielder
Gross has energy in abundance and covers a lot of ground over 90 minutes.
Running 21.91km across his first two appearances of the season, Gross has travelled further than any other Brighton player.
As shown on the chalkboard from the last home match against Luton Town, below, he breaks into the final third to try and score goals. Gross can also regularly be seen helping his team-mates in a defensive capacity in and around his own box.
Gross v Luton
Key: Green=tackles won, Blue=recoveries/interceptions, Red=tackles lost, Circles=shots
Another of his qualities that delights head coach De Zerbi is Gross' confidence on the ball.
He is comfortable dropping into his own penalty area to receive and makes passes that help Brighton beat the opposition press.
This passing chalkboard from that 4-1 win over Luton highlights how important his passing is in the defensive, middle, and attacking thirds.
Gross goes everywhere in search of the ball, and with a 90.5 per cent pass success rate, he can be trusted in possession.
Gross' passing map v Luton
Two strong partner options
De Zerbi likes his central midfielders to move the ball quickly and confidently to release their attackers early. He also wants to see patience when it’s required, keeping hold of the ball for a few minutes.
Gross ticks those boxes and, so too, do Billy Gilmour and summer signing Mahmoud Dahoud, who joined from Borussia Dortmund.
Both have been given one start each so far this season, and it was hard to find fault with either of their contributions in those 4-1 wins against Luton and Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Gilmour is an outstanding presser and passer.
De Zerbi demands that his players work hard to regain possession quickly, and Gilmour excels in that tenacious aspect of the game, averaging more pressures per 90 minutes than anyone else so far.
He currently averages a 97.8 per cent pass accuracy, completing 88 of his 90 attempted passes too.
Brighton pressing stats
| 2023/24 | Mins played | Pressures | Pressures/90 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Billy Gilmour | 106 | 28 | 23.8 |
| Danny Welbeck | 135 | 32 | 21.3 |
| Joao Pedro | 121 | 25 | 18.6 |
| Pascal Gross | 171 | 34 | 17.9 |
Germany international Dahoud also impressed greatly in the win against Luton.
Smooth in possession, he is happy to help play out from the back in deep areas, and has a lovely range of distribution.
Dahoud’s desire to release left-winger Kaoru Mitoma with diagonal passes on the opening weekend particularly stood out.
He is a midfielder that may well help to further enhance Mitoma's game.
Dahoud passes to Mitoma v Luton
Building again
It would not be a surprise to see Brighton invest in another central midfielder between now and the close of the transfer window on 1 September.
They have lost two wonderful players and will no doubt have a succession plan in place.
For now though, Gross, Gilmour, and Dahoud can keep them ticking over with their confident all-round play.
The trio are perfectly suited to De Zerbi’s brand of football.
Also in this series
Part 1: Will Klopp tweak his midfield ahead of stern Newcastle test?
Part 2: How Luton's direct approach can trouble Chelsea
Part 4: Hamer is exactly who Sheff Utd need to disrupt Man City
