PREVIEW: Are Brighton the team to end Chelsea’s decade of WSL supremacy? | OneFootball

After a strong WSL season last year, Brighton & Hove Albion have shown in pre-season that they are hungry for greater success. In the 2024/25 season, Brighton claimed their highest ever finish at 5th in the Women’s Super League with new manager Dario Vidošić. However, was this success a fluke and has a dramatic transfer season weakened the team?

A historic season for Brighton last year included their first ever win against Arsenal and a surprising draw against the formidable Chelsea. Vidošić’s Seagulls have proven they can play extremely well against the better teams in the WSL but a damaging transfer season may mean that their luck has ended with vital players departing.

Brighton & Hove Albion’s pre-season showed a coherent and strong team, suggesting The Seagulls are ready and capable of becoming a competitive threat. The club have invested a significant sum of money into improving their women’s squad including a state-of-the-art new training facility and are currently building the first purpose-built women’s stadium. The fruits of their labour are certainly starting to bloom under Vidošić. A plethora of new additions to the team this year will be key in helping to develop the squad further, but a number of departures raise questions about whether Brighton can maintain their success or if they will crumble under pressure.

Agyemang’s return shows faith in Brighton’s commitment to investing in the future of women’s football

This transfer window has witnessed Brighton undergo a complete overhaul of last year’s squad. In total there have been six new signings and ten departures. After a hugely successful WSL campaign last year, it is surprising to see Vidošić’s decision to create such a different team this year. However, new additions to the team include several breakout stars from last season, most importantly being Michelle Agyemang, the star of England’s Euro winning squad. She became part of Serena Weigman’s “super sub” team, making significant impact in each match and scoring almost immediately in early matches. The Seagulls will be hoping she can repeat her magic from the summer as they attempt to record another impressive campaign.

Other new signings include: Carla Camacho, Rosa Kafaji, Chiamaka Nnadozie, Moeka Minami, and Maelys Mpomé.

Over the summer, Nnadozie was part of the winning Super Falcons team, helping secure their tenth Africa Cup of Nations title. Nnadozie is a great goalkeeper, a signing who will aid Brighton in their mission to become more dominant this year.

However, some new signings raise concerns, especially with their lack of experience. Kafaji transferred to Brighton from Arsenal with minimal experience in actual game time abd has also recently faced difficulties with an ankle injury over summer, which ruled her out of appearing as part of Sweden’s Euros team. In preseason Kafaji returned to play for Brighton but her injury record does raise questions about her reliability this season.

Huge number of departures for Brighton, why has Vidošić let so many key players leave?

With the loss of ten players during this year’s transfer window, Vidošić has huge gaps of experience to fill. The departure of club captain Vicky Losada was almost expected with a considerable loss in game time last season but leaves the team without leadership on the pitch.

Another loss to The Seagulls was veteran Pauline Bremer, who left for FC Köln this summer. Bremer is an experienced forward and was vital to Brighton’s success last year – the loss of such an important player will certainly affect Brighton’s potential last year. The new line-up has a lot of talent but greatly lacks experience, something Vidošić has risked by taking a leap of faith in young players. The most shocking departure of the summer was Nikita Parris, who left Brighton for London City Lionesses. Parris was a highlight in Brighton’s attacking line, leaving Vidošić with a huge gap to fill during the transfer window.

Faith in Vidošić grows in the build up to the WSL season, why is he so successful?

Vidošić came to Brighton at the beginning of the 2024/25 season to transform them as a competitive team and has certainly achieved this. Brighton finished the 2024/25 season at a record fifth place, cementing Vidošić as a hero in the history of Brighton’s women’s team. His success can largely be sourced from his belief in huge investment in improving training facilities. Not only has this helped to improve performance but also to make Brighton look competitive and attractive for potential transfers.

A dominant attacking style of play is favoured by Vidošić, which so far has been immensely useful in developing Brighton’s image. This style of play suits new signing Agyemang perfectly; her performance at the 2025 Euros was incredibly powerful as she breezed past opposing defences with ease. In the upcoming WSL campaign, Vidošić needs to instil his style of play amongst new signings in order to help team cohesion.

Could this be Brighton’s year? Pre-season games show a strong team with faith in Vidošić

Brighton and Hove Albion’s performance in pre-season matches show a menacing squad but there is undeniably one key issue to smooth over before the season begins. Vidošić needs to immediately address the lack of experience amongst new signings and build vital confidence within these players. Vidošić has focused on signing fresh but capable talent, but needs to ensure the pressure of the WSL does not become this team’s achilles’ heel.

Pre-season performancez have been extremely strong for Brighton, highlighting their excited squad. With three wins, Brighton are entering the WSL with confidence. Their main directive entering this season should be to maintain a dominant style of play and not lose confidence. The pressure to remain in the top five of the competition is undoubtedly high but so far The Seagulls have appeared composed.

Player to watch: Maisie Symonds

22 year-old Maisie Symonds starts this season as Brighton’s captain for the first time. After joining Brighton in 2022, she is now their longest-serving player after the departure of former captain Vicky Losada this summer. Symonds has made over 70 appearances for Brighton so far and will be looking to guide the team to greater success this year after a hugely triumphant campaign last year. Despite being young, Symonds offers a staggering amount of experience in the WSL, something essential to such a new squad this year.

Key Signing: Michelle Agyemang

The signing of Michelle Agyemang from Arsenal to Brighton on loan is arguably the best transfer of the season. Agyemang was a standout star in this summer’s Women’s Euros, providing essential support to England as part of Weigman’s “super subs” and using every minute of play to dominate opposing teams’ defence. Agyemang has proven herself as a dangerous and incredibly capable forward this summer, proving that experience is not essential to be a threatening player.

Agyemang’s signing to Brighton shows the club’s belief in nurturing talent in women’s football. Brighton will be hoping she can continue her impactful performances, helping to build on last season’s historic fifth place finish in the WSL.

Final Thoughts: Brighton look strong ahead of the start of WSL

Brighton look incredibly powerful in pre-season and will be hoping to keep that momentum going throughout the WSL. Regardless of a dramatic transfer window, The Seagulls look composed and powerful with Vidošić’s dominant style of play looking menacing. After an outstanding WSL campaign last year, Brighton will be hoping to capitalise on other teams’ weaknesses as a means to secure another great season. New signings have merged well with the existing squad, leaving Brighton looking to be a significant contender in the upcoming season.