Premier League club's fans "dreaming of a European tour" says Jules Breach | OneFootball

Brighton and Hove Albion have jumped into seventh place in the Premier League table after handing Liverpool a 3-0 thumping on Saturday.

GiveMeSport recently spoke with football presenter Jules Breach, who predicted the Seagulls to hand another upset to Jurgen Klopp and his men after the 3-3 draw at Anfield.

She also discussed Brighton’s rise over the last 18 months and admitted that despite the surprise of many others, Albion supporters have been predicting their side to challenge at the top end of the table.

“I think as Brighton fans, we’ve seen this coming, so I don’t think that it’s been a complete surprise to see us climbing the table,” Breach said.

“Obviously, last year under Graham Potter, we had our highest ever Premier League finish, and this year, it looks as though we’ll match that and possibly better it.”

Breach described the transition following Potter’s exit as a “rollercoaster” and admitted she was one of many who were slightly concerned when the club was plunged into a grey area.

Not only did Potter leave for a new opportunity with Chelsea, but he also took his backroom staff with him, and star player Marc Cucurella.

However, the signing of new manager Roberto De Zerbi has already proven to be a smart move as Brighton currently sit three points off a top five spot, with a game in-hand over Spurs.

De Zerbi’s first match in charge of Brighton was the 3-3 draw against Liverpool, which saw Leandro Trossard net a hat-trick to upset the Anfield faithful.

Since then, the Seagulls have won five of their 11 matches under the Italian, but this is not a number that paints a full picture.

Albion have scored 35 goals so far this season, with only Spurs (37), Arsenal (42) and Manchester City (46) finding the back of the net more times.

In fact, Brighton are in such strong form that a recent league forecast from FiveThirtyEight predicts De Zerbi’s side to finish sixth at the end of the season.

“Bringing in De Zerbi and giving him a four year contract… no one really knew what to expect,” Breach said.

“You can read what he’s done in his previous managerial roles. You can watch how Shakhtar play, you can watch how Sassuolo played before and hope that he can bring that same attacking style of play to the Premier League. But of course for Brighton fans, it was always a ‘what if?’ and ‘how is this going to work?’

“So to be able to see it come to fruition has been amazing because he had a really tough first month in charge, starting off with the first match at Anfield, then losing to Spurs, facing Manchester City and Chelsea as well in his first month as a manager in the Premier League.

“It was not easy. But it was that Chelsea game, kind of with irony against Graham Potter, where it all actually clicked and started to fall into place. And since then, it’s been really exciting.”

Who are Brighton’s key players?

Trossard, Pascal Groß and Alexis Mac Allister are currently tied as the club’s top scorers for this season with seven goals each.

Solly March has also contributed four goals and five assists, while the Brighton defence has worked hard to shut out teams like Liverpool and Chelsea.

Breach discussed the player who has impressed her the most so far this season as Albion continue to fight for a new best Premier League finish.

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“In terms of key players, I can name the whole squad and that’s what I think is so lovely about watching Brighton this season. It feels like everyone is pulling in the same direction and singing off the same hymn sheet.

“But I think for me, my most exciting player of the season has been Kaoru Mitoma. Because down that left-hand side in terms of attack has been where all of our best attacking play has come from.

“He’s been absolutely key to that and him combining with [Pervis] Estupiñán has been a combination I didn’t expect to work as well as it has this quickly, especially after losing Cucurella on that left-hand side in the summer.”

With goals coming from all over the pitch and the team clearly not afraid to take on anyone this season, can they push for a spot in Europe this year?

“Of course Brighton fans are dreaming of a European tour. It seems crazy to even say that out loud considering the climb the club has had over the last 25 years.

“I don’t think Brighton fans realistically think that Europa League football is achievable. But why not push for that seventh place in the Europa conference?”