How well was Brighton’s £200m+ spent? Transfer ratings…

Following the recent summer transfer window, Albion fans were eagerly anticipating a successful season. The club experienced a taste of European football under the former Albion manager, Roberto De Zerbi.

With the substantial investment of over £200 million in acquiring high-profile international talents, it appeared that history could be repeated and the ceiling could be endless…

A fan’s feelings behind the signings made 

Albion’s core ethos has always been to recruit and develop young players internally and through loan transfers, with some progressing to the first team and others departing for significant profits. This felt like uncharted territory for the Brighton faithful.

The Seagulls narrowly missed out on European qualification after a host of results failed to go their way. Crystal Palace’s trophy lift and final day results unfortunately killed any hopes for eighth place to matter this season. 

There has been debate on social media around whether Europe was an ‘expectation’ based on the signings made and the progression of the club, or a bonus for looking into the future. Although all fans mostly agree that this season, the team haven’t reached its full ceiling, and despite the many additions to the squad, there were problems with both injury and integration into a squad already adapting to a new playing style themselves.

The season has unquestionably possessed a feeling of something feeling ‘not quite right.’

Despite this inkling, there have been prominent moments of success, both individually and as a team. So let’s analyse how the newest recruits have performed…

Rating Albion’s transfers this season

Yankuba Minteh (£33m) – 8.5/10

With a new and very catchy chant to his name, the £30 million winger has had a good season overall. With six goals and four assists, Minteh has become a regular name on the right. Electric when beating his man, and noticeably a difference maker since growing into the side. A dynamic that has suited the Gambian well.

The former Magpie has adapted well to his first season in the Premier League. Dance with me, make me sway. 

Georginio Rutter (£40m) – 9/10

Who doesn’t love Georgi? His infectious positive personality both on and off the pitch makes him a popular figure with Albion fans and the squad. On the pitch, the Frenchman adapted quickly, making a positive impact on the Albion attack. Notably, his versatile positioning and movement on the pitch. A potential Player of the Season candidate, before his knee injury in the FA Cup against Nottingham Forest.

The £40 million Leeds man became a big miss, but we live in hope of seeing him before the end of the season.

Brajan Gruda (£25m) – 7/10

Showing visible development since the start of the season, our German wonderkid is without a doubt a future star. With the majority of the German’s appearances coming from the bench, Gruda more often than not makes a positive impact on the Albion attack, rewarded with his first-ever Premier League goal against Wolves, and following up with a show-stealing performance against Liverpool, Gruda had finally arrived.

Head coach Fabian Hürzeler sees his potential.

Mats Wieffer (£25m) – 6.5/10

The midfielder had a rocky start to his time with the Seagulls. The Dutchman, like most of his teammates, had high expectations. He arrived with a big reputation under Arne Slot following a successful spell at Feyenoord. His infamous poor mistake that led to the Albion gifting Wolves a “huge point” according to Alan Shearer added to the lack of confidence in the midfielder.

He turned it around at the latter end of the season, being selected by Hürzeler to play at right-back to cover injuries. Although not his natural position, he has stepped up and earned himself a Player of the Match award in doing so. Hopefully, this is the start of a positive patch for the deep-lying midfielder.

Matt O’Riley (£25m) – 6.5/10

The midfielder had a slow start to life on the South Coast. O’Riley was very highly rated at Celtic, with many Celts associating him with one of the best players in recent years. His debut ended in only six minutes after sustaining an injury in a horror tackle by Crawley’s Jay Williams.

When he returned, it felt as though his confidence was low and he couldn’t find his feet within the squad. As the season has gone on, the former Celtic star has gained confidence and added much-needed strength in midfield.

Diego Gomez (£15m) – 7/10

Another one for the future, like Brajan Gruda, his appearances mostly came in the form of substitutions in the second half of games. The Paraguayan captain has shown some promising performances and has adapted well to life in the Premier League.

Exciting with his line-breaking passes, cute touches, and ability to create space, Gomez came with a strong reputation across the pond. Only the start for him.

Ferdi Kadıoğlu (£35m) – 5/10

Ferdi Kadıoğlu had a strange start. If his debut was anything to go by, many thought we had a clone based on how his Turkish compatriots rated him!

Things quickly changed, and his quality became pretty clear; scoring two goals in both Cup and the Premier League. His season ended abruptly with a very unlucky injury As a result, unfortunately, the sample size is too small, and we’ve seen very little this season.

Eiran Cashin (£10m) – N/A 

Unfortunately not a big enough sample size to judge, but a questionable signing after only a handful of minutes allowed during a period where Albion suffered for defensive options.