JG Writes

Brighton and Hove Albion have lost a list of first-team players in the last two seasons. They have coped. They will cope again, with Leandro Trossard moving to Arsenal for £27m.

The Seagulls have sold Yves Bissouma, Dan Burn, Neal Maupay, Marc Cucurella and Ben White in the last couple of seasons and continued to progress. They then lost most of the coaching staff and Graham Potter to Chelsea, following a 5-2 home win against tomorrow’s opponents, Leicester City. Roberto De Zerbi was appointed as his successor and have won four of their last five games in all competitions.

Let’s have a look at Trossard. He’s just turned 28, which makes it understandable that he wants clarity on his future and a shot at the big time. This could be his last chance for a move to a top club fighting for trophies. The way he and his agent Josy Comhair have gone about it has left a sour taste on the Belgian’s time at the Albion.

Trossard is an absolutely brilliant player on his day, but he can also drift through games anonymously the next. This could be a potential stumbling block at Arsenal, given how impressive Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka have been on the wings this season. The 28-year-old will need to impress quickly to be given opportunities to start.

The Belgium international will be remembered by Brighton fans for many reasons. He has created a lot of memories for fans. Especially his hat trick in the thrilling 3-3 draw at Liverpool in De Zerbi’s first game in charge as well as goals at Arsenal, Tottenham, and Man City on their travels.

Trossard has made 116 appearances for the club and sits one goal behind the Premier League record held by legendary striker Glenn Murray and Maupay (both 26 goals). He also added 13 assists and represents a profit for the club, more astute business from Tony Bloom at being able to get double the money they paid for Trossard despite his contract running down.

How will they cope without him?

Brighton have scored 12 goals in their last three games without Trossard. Four at Everton was followed by five at Middlesbrough in the FA Cup and they most recently dispatched Liverpool 3-0 at the Amex last Saturday.

De Zerbi has managed to get Solly March firing, with four goals and two assists in his last five games as opposed to three assists and no goals in his previous 30 appearances. March is getting himself into goalscoring positions regularly, developing calmness in front of goal and building his confidence game by game.

Kaoru Mitoma has been incredible under De Zerbi. Mitoma never started a league game under Potter but has quickly established himself into De Zerbi’s strongest XI with four goals and two assists in his last nine games under the Italian.

A regular theme is occurring here. Adam Lallana has added goals to his game, as well as Mr Consistent, Pascal Gross, who has chipped in with seven in all competitions. Danny Welbeck made his comeback from injury in the win against Liverpool and scored his first of the season with a delightful volley after lifting the ball above Joe Gomez to finish from close range.

18-year-old Evan Ferguson has also impressed in recent weeks, making his full Premier League debut against Everton after scoring against Arsenal from the bench. He has since started the last three games, adding a goal and two assists to his tally. Ecuador international Jeremy Sarmiento made his first league start under De Zerbi in that victory at Everton, providing the assist for Ferguson’s goal and has also impressed the manager off the bench with his displays.

Brighton also have a talented left-winger on loan at Belgian club Royale Union Saint-Gilloise, who are co-owned by owner Tony Bloom. Simon Adingra was bought for around £8 million in the summer from FC Nordsjaelland and has impressed in Belgium, scoring six league goals and chipping in with three assists in 19 appearances. Once he secures a work permit, Adingra is expected to join up with Brighton, most likely in the summer.

Brighton are very good at finding replacements for outgoing players and this will be no different to the situations they’ve found themselves in the last couple of seasons. Albion will cope with the loss of Leandro Trossard.