Sussex

Katie Stafford
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

In Thursday's news conference, Brighton head coach Fabian Hurzeler had high praise for midfielder Yasin Ayari, calling him "a very important player" who continues to improve "day by day."

The 22-year-old, who signed from AIK Solna in January 2023, has started all but two of Brighton's 12 Premier League games this season, scoring one goal - and that a screamer against Tottenham Hotspur.

His transition from the bench to being one of Hurzeler's trusted starting players is a reflection of his development on and off the pitch in the last 18 months.

In the summer of 2024, I questioned where Ayari might fit into then newly-appointed Hurzeler's plans after completing two undistinguished loans with Championship outfits Coventry City and Blackburn Rovers.

He was signed with a view for the future and it seems now that Brighton's recruitment team have yet again come up trumps.

Last season, Ayari made 34 Premier League appearances with a combined minutes total of 1,968. Already in 2025-26, he has accumulated almost half that total - 963 minutes.

He has also established himself as first choice for Sweden and now has 17 caps for his country.

"He has the physicality and mental resilience to always be available," said Hurzeler. "That is a key thing in the Premier League, to have resilience against injuries."

One area of his game they will be looking to improve is his goal contributions.

He has scored four goals for Brighton to date, making one assist, but he has shown he is more than capable of doing so with the calibre of those he has netted.

"He always wants to improve and make the next step," added Hurzeler. " He is a good listener. He lives for football. You can feel that when you see him and how he wants to get better. That is how you develop as a young player.

"That is why he is a very important player for us. He is improving day-by-day and that is key for us."

Last season was Ayari's breakthrough season in the sense that he earned his place in the Brighton squad.

But this campaign feels like he is proving his value to the team and head coach Fabian Hurzeler.

And at just 22, there is every reason to be excited by what he can go on to do.

On a bonus episode of Albion Unlimited, former Brighton boss Chris Hughton has been reflecting on his time in charge of the Seagulls.

Hit play below to see him discuss his first impressions of defender Lewis Dunk, who he said offered an "unusual" quality.

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Listen to every Brighton game live on BBC Radio Sussex, with all the build-up and full commentary with Johnny Cantor and Warren Aspinall, and there is a full preview of all Seagulls' matches on Fridays at 18:00 in The Weekend Warm-up

During his chat in depth chat with Johnny Cantor to discuss mental health campaign 'Shining a Light on Suicide', former Brighton manager Chris Hughton also reflected on his time as Seagulls boss.

• Visit Shining a Light on Suicide, external

Hughton was in charge from late 2014 to 2019, taking the club from the Championship relegation zone to promotion to the Premier League in 2017 and two seasons of safety in the top flight.

"I keep myself busy and I'm about and about all the time and I bump into a lot of Brighton supporters," Hughton said.

"For any thoughts that I might have forgotten something, there's always someone who's going to remind me.

"Incredibly proud moment for me in my career. I can remember getting the job and my first recollection was coming into a wonderful training ground, which was only six months old. The team was in the bottom three in the Championship when I took over, but I remember walking into the place and thinking it never felt that way.

"It had just been one of those seasons - the recruitment in the summer had not worked out very well. First and foremost, it was about trying to bring some confidence into the team, trying to get some wins, and trying to finish the season in the best way we could to let us develop the next season.

"As regards memories, I have so many fond ones.

"Promotion is so difficult, such a big effort, so many things you have to get right.

"There wasn't one moment where I thought it's definitely going to happen now but "there is a moment you think you're heading in the right direction and that was after my first season.

"That summer, we had to do a lot of work in recruitment and we had so many good conversation with the head of recruitment and the owner."

Listen to the full episode here

Explore all Brighton content on BBC Sounds

A bonus edition of BBC Radio Sussex's Albion Unlimited podcast has landed.

Former Brighton manager Chris Hughton sits down with Johnny Cantor to discuss mental health campaign 'Shining a Light on Suicide'.

He also talks at length about his time in charge at Amex Stadium, picking out his highlights and his challenges.

Listen to the full episode here

Read about it on BBC News

Explore all Brighton content on BBC Sounds

Listen to every Brighton game live on BBC Radio Sussex, with all the build-up and full commentary with Johnny Cantor and Warren Aspinall, and there is a full preview of all Seagulls' matches on Fridays at 18:00 in The Weekend Warm-up

Katie Stafford
BBC Sport journalist

Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game against Nottingham Forest at The City Groud (kick-off 14:05 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Hurzeler said "all the players who were available last weekend are still available," which is "positive news".

• James Milner and Karou Mitoma are "getting close" to a return with Hurzeler confident both will be back before Christmas.

• On opponents Forest: "Their style of play is quite effective so you have to be switched on for 90 minutes, be strong in set-pieces and be intense. It's a fight. A big battle there. They know how to win games and have very experienced players on the pitch."

• He said Brighton replicate different game scenarios in training, but the reason they are scoring late goals "is all about mindset and belief in our own quality".

• On Baleba going off at half-time against Brentford: "We try to develop every player. We are trying to get him back to his best level step by step without putting him under pressure. Of course, he wants to play well. Sometimes you need to be patient, other times demanding and ruthless, but it is about creating the right support around him to give him the right help."

• He said Yasin Ayari "is improving day by day" and his "professional work ethic" is the reason "he is so important" to Brighton this season.

You can listen to more from Hurzeler here