Brighton are currently well underway in their youth team redevelopment project which has included bringing in some top rated talent from around the world. Moises Caicedo, Jakub Moder, Jeremy Sarmiento and Andi Zaqiri to name a few.
As well as those players, Brighton also have plenty of English talent trying to break through. Teddy Jenks and Jenson Weir are both England youth international midfielders who have been sent out on loan for the first time, while Haydon Roberts completed a spell at Rochdale last season and has set aims this pre-season as earning a chance to replace the outgoing Ben White.
Graham Potter is certainly not adverse to promoting youth team talent and this year will likely see lots of minutes for teenaged players.
| U23 Projected Starters | |
|---|---|
| Pos | |
| GK | Tom McGill |
| CB | Lars Dendoncker |
| CB | Haydon Roberts |
| RB | Ayo Tanimowo |
| LB | James Furlong |
| CM | Marc Leonard |
| CM | Moises Caicedo |
| CM | Jack Spong |
| RW | Andy Moran |
| LW | Jeremy Sarmiento |
| CF | Cameron Peupion |
| U18 Projected Starters | |
|---|---|
| Pos | |
| GK | Tommy Reid |
| CB | Ben Jackson |
| CB | Leigh Kavanagh |
| RB | Casper Nilsson |
| LB | Zak Sturge |
| CM | Toby Collyer |
| CM | Samy Chouchane |
| CM | Jack Hinshelwood |
| RW | Jaami Qureshi |
| LW | Marcus Ifill |
| CF | Zak Emmerson |
Players in Profile - Three to Watch in 2021/2022
Jakub Moder
- Position: CM
- Age: 22
- Nationality: Polish
An example of Brighton’s excellent scouting system, Moder was plucked from Lech Poznan after half a season of senior football and immediately sent back to the Ekstraklasa club. However, due to his outstanding performances in Poland, Brighton recalled him in January and began to ease him into the grind of the Premier League. Immediately, Moder shone. Starting seven of Brighton’s last ten games, he received immediate plaudits for his all-action style and genuine two-footed ability despite often being used in an unfavoured left wing position. As rumours circulate that Bissouma could be leaving, Moder may well be transitioned back to his central role although the goal-scoring, box-to-box midfielder is a very different type of player. Note: The Athletic described Moder as “like Sergio Busquets”. He’s not.
Andy Moran
- Position: LW
- Age: 17
- Nationality: Irish
Moran was a top scorer for Brighton’s U18 team and began to step up to U23 level in 2021. The diminutive winger looks physically undersized, which may limit his first team chances this season, but he is lightning quick and his low-centre of gravity makes him difficult to knock off the ball. To supplement that he has a fearless attitude on the ball, constantly looking to drive at opposition players and confident in his ability to take on anyone. Now being linked with moves to Chelsea, Man Utd and Arsenal, Moran is one of the best prospects in the Irish national system and if he can fill out his frame he could easily push for some first team action at both club and country this coming year.
Haydon Roberts
- Position: CB
- Age: 19
- Nationality: English
Roberts spent last season on loan at Rochdale, gaining a valuable two thousand minutes of football in a physically tough League One. As an England U19 international he has been a stand-out prospect for a number of years and his performances at Spotland have put him in a good position to fight for a first team place this coming year. Ben White leaving certainly helps his chances although Dan Burns, Leo Ostigard and any potential new signings are more senior and experienced options for him to overcome. Ostigard in particular is getting a lot of hype with Brighton fans after a good season at Coventry but he has expressed a desire to leave on a permanent basis unless he is given first team promises which are currently not forthcoming. Roberts is the ‘modern of the two’, a stylish and composed left footed centre back, he is confident stepping into midfield and using pace to beat opposition players. Runs right through the heart of the pitch are not uncommon and would be especially useful in Brighton’s three at the back system.