{"id":1478040,"date":"2026-08-09T16:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-08-09T15:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/?post_type=features&p=1478040"},"modified":"2026-08-09T16:04:28","modified_gmt":"2026-08-09T15:04:28","slug":"brighton-analysis-squad-depth-defence-conference-league","status":"publish","type":"features","link":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/brighton-analysis-squad-depth-defence-conference-league\/","title":{"rendered":"Defensive overhaul and Conference League demands: Brighton face 2026\/27 uncertainties"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

For the second time in four years, Brighton have a European campaign to look forward to in 2026\/27.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Seagulls finished eighth in the Premier League<\/a> last season, securing Uefa Conference League football to go with their Europa League last-16 run of 2023\/24.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fabian Hurzeler has continued the great work of the likes of Graham Potter and Roberto De Zerbi, turning Brighton into top-half mainstays. But can they continue in that manner this time, and how prepared are they to return to continental action?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Are Brighton prepared for the Uefa Conference League?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Transfer<\/strong><\/td>Player<\/strong><\/td>From\/to<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
In<\/td>Luka Vuskovic
Zadok Yohanna
Pascal Struijk
Costinha
Michael Svoboda
Rodrigo Rego<\/td>		Tottenham
AIK
Leeds
Olympiacos
Venezia
Benfica B<\/td><\/tr>
Out<\/td>Jan Paul van Hecke
Carl Rushworth
Diego Coppola
Danny Welbeck
Jeremy Sarmiento
Joel Veltman
Facundo Buonanotte
Tommy Watson
James Beadle
Rodrigo Rego
Do-young Yoon
Adam Webster
Solly March
James Milner<\/td>		Tottenham
Coventry
Paris FC
Chelsea
Middlesbrough
West Ham
Elche
Leicester
Birmingham
Castellon
Magdeburg
Released
Released
Retired<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Brighton have made a few potentially shrewd depth signings so far this summer, with Pascal Struijk sure to add quality at centre-back and Michael Svoboda offering competition and rotation in that position. Costinha will also keep Mats Wieffer honest at right-back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, it’s once again their activity at the younger end of the market that has caught the attention, with the Seagulls shelling out major fees to sign Luka Vuskovic and Zadok Yohanna from Tottenham and AIK, respectively. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But while they have been busy bringing players in, many more have gone out. Jan Paul van Hecke is the headline transfer fee received after joining Tottenham, but Danny Welbeck’s shock move to Chelsea could also really hurt in the goalscoring department.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elsewhere, serious experience and versatility have been taken out of the squad, with Joel Veltman, Adam Webster and Solly March leaving at the end of their contracts and James Milner retiring. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hurzeler will have no depth issues to juggle in defence, with centre-back and full-back positions well-stocked. Further forward, however, Brighton look short of genuine winger competition, a certified goalscorer and reliable, quality midfield rotation options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This could all come back to bite Brighton in the winter, when the Premier League demands increase alongside the Conference League and domestic cup competitions. With that in mind, Hurzeler will surely be looking to make a couple more quality signings before the summer window closes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Brighton’s wing wizards<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A hallmark of Brighton’s attacking identity has long been their devastating one-on-one ability on the flanks. In Kaoru Mitoma and Yankuba Minteh, the Seagulls have two of the most relentlessly fast wingers in the Premier League, and neither is afraid to use that pace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Minteh was fourth in the Premier League last season for take-ons attempted (121) and third for take-ons completed (65), while even in an injury-disrupted campaign, Mitoma averaged 3.29 take-ons attempted and 1.46 completed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Both wingers love to hug the touchline and draw opposition full-backs out into one-on-one duels, and they’re equally adept at racing for the byline and cutting inside. Brighton are that much more menacing out wide when their attack-minded and dynamic left-backs, Ferdi Kadioglu or Maxim De Cuyper, join in down that side — Wieffer offering balance on the opposite flank.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is the potential for depth and impact from the bench here following the arrival of Yohanna, while Amario Cozier-Duberry could get opportunities after an impressive loan in League One with Bolton Wanderers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the onus is definitely on the starting pair to make things happen and keep Brighton unpredictable in the final third. If they stay fit and firing, this could be their most potent weapon.<\/p>\n\n\n