Van Hecke has been the one constant at the heart of the defence this season. Rattled through more partners than Henry VIII had wives, yet nothing has fazed him. Will surely succeed Lewis Dunk as captain... presuming he breaks the curse of not leaving within months of winning the club's official player of the year award.
What does the future hold for Mitoma?published at 12:07 28 May
12:07 28 May
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Japanese football journalist Masatoshi Mori believes Kaoru Mitoma should stay in the Premier League amid interest from Bayern Munich.
Mitoma, 28, has been heavily linked with a move to Germany in the summer. This would offer him Champions League football, with Brighton missing out on European competition for next season.
However, Mori believes the standard in the Premier League compared with the Bundesliga is better for Mitoma.
Speaking to BBC Radio Sussex's Albion Unlimited podcast, he said: "If Brighton had got into Europe, I think Mitoma would definitely have stayed. He's such an ambitious player, but Brighton has the same kind of ambition.
"He has never spoke about a transfer, and I've asked him before about Champions League football being attractive. He just passed it off, laughing.
"I have to say that Mitoma believes Premier League football is really good for him. Going to the Bundesliga and playing for Bayern Munich is massive, but I don't know if that's the best choice for him.
"We will have to wait and see. I've always thought the Premier League is the hardest league for Japanese players, but Mitoma has changed that.
"In the final game against Tottenham, he looked like the best player on the pitch. I personally want him to play in the Premier League a little bit more."
Brighton show promise under Hurzeler in a season of transitionpublished at 10:01 28 May
10:01 28 May
Johnny Cantor BBC Radio Sussex reporter
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Fabian Hurzeler deserves huge credit for securing the club's second-highest Premier League finish in his first season in charge.
A points tally of 61 was only one shy of the campaign that delivered Europa League football under Roberto de Zerbi with help from Graham Potter. The lack of European football next season will be a frustration, but it is not the only target for this club.
When the 32-year-old arrived, he stated he wanted to "challenge the establishment", and in terms of league position, he came very close. At times, the Seagulls bloodied a few noses with some stand-out performances, securing wins over both this season and last year's champions along the way. Hurzeler continues to strive for consistency, and that has been difficult to achieve for a host of reasons.
Astute business and big-name sales allowed huge investment last summer, but Hurzeler has been hampered hugely by injuries to new signings Matt O'Riley and Ferdi Kadioglu as well as dependable Solly March and the experienced James Milner.
Adding that to several shorter absences from regular key first-team players, he did not name the same starting XI in any Premier League game this season.
The style has evolved, but the high-intensity football is clear to see. Goals have not been a problem with three individuals making double figures for the first time.
Defensively, the team has looked slightly suspect at times, but the stats are skewed by that 7-0 defeat at Nottingham Forest. Ironically, that loss sparked a brilliant run, and that has been the story this season.
The good results have come in streaks, finishing the campaign with 13 points from a positive 15. Away from the league, the defeat in the quarter finals of the FA Cup also hurt, especially when arch rivals Crystal Palace, went on to lift the trophy.
As with the past five or so seasons, the next challenge is to deal with inevitable interest in the star performers. Joao Pedro, Kaoru Mitoma and Bart Verbruggen will all have their suitors but, as ever, the club will only sell at the right price and when it already has a replacement in-house or on the way in.
A season of transition has shown huge promise, and an ambitious head coach will be hoping to build on a decent platform next year.
🎧 Is Mitoma's future at Brighton?published at 08:06 28 May
08:06 28 May
The latest episode of BBC Radio Sussex's Albion Unlimited has dropped!
Journalist Masatoshi Mori joins the team to discuss Kaoru Mitoma, and whether he could be on the move this summer. while Brighton midfielder Jack Hinselwood reflects on just missing out on European qualification.
Which teams put a shift in this season?published at 08:03 28 May
08:03 28 May
Chris Collinson BBC Sport statistician
Bournemouth and Tottenham were the most physical teams in the Premier League this season when considering the distance they covered and the number of sprints performed.
The results might explain why they had a lot of injuries.
Newcastle and Brighton were not too far behind though, with Brighton actually covering the most ground in the league, with fewer sprints.
Chelsea and Liverpool's style of play saw them sprint a lot but not cover a lot of ground, while Manchester City and Arsenal were the opposite (ran a lot but didn't sprint a lot).
Nottingham Forest very much had their own style of play this season as they both ran and sprinted the least.
Fan scorecard: Unsung hero? Ideal signing?published at 12:42 27 May
12:42 27 May
Scott McCarthy Fan writer
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Season rating: 7/10. Most Brighton fans would have taken eighth place if offered it at the start of the campaign - but there is a nagging feeling of what might have been had the three relegated clubs not all left the Amex with a draw. The six points dropped in those games would have taken the Albion into the Champions League.
Happy with your manager? A mixed bag from Herr Hurzeler but, in case you didn't hear at some point this season, he is only 32 years old. Hurzeler is learning all the time, and from what we have seen so far, I think he has the potential to become a Brighton great - especially if he keeps sharing Instagram posts of him riding his electric bike around the city.
Unsung hero: Adam Webster. Written off by many, his return from four months out in February coincided with six victories in a row. Injured again and Brighton won one in six. Returned for the final three games of the season and it was another three wins. There does not seem to be any logic behind it, but the Albion just look much better with Webster alongside Jan Paul van Hecke.
Player you would most like to sign: I appreciate there is more chance of me taking Dua Lipa on a date to my local pub for a steak dinner, but Thomas Muller. A tenuous Bayern Munich academy connection exists between Muller and Hurzeler. And Muller's experience and ability would take Brighton on to another level. More realistic is Kyle Walker-Peters - if Tariq Lamptey is to leave on a free as widely expected.
Right now, my overriding emotion from the season is: Excitement. The Albion's biggest problem has been inconsistency, which is par for the course with such a young squad. Consistency will come with experience, as will better game management and hopefully the ability to overcome struggling teams at home. Marry those three together and the sky is the limit. Unless Kaoru Mitoma, Carlos Baleba and Van Hecke all get sold for mega money this summer...
'Enterprising and easy on the eye'published at 12:41 27 May
12:41 27 May
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Here's my quick assessment of Brighton's Premier League season - and a return to my August predictions.
Pre-season prediction: 12th
Ended the season: 8th
A solid season with plenty of promise under 32-year-old head coach Fabian Hurzeler, with hopes of Europe maintained until the final day, when they won 4-1 at Tottenham but ultimately missed out.
Brighton continue to be enterprising and easy on the eye with their intense style, and this campaign was another example of how far this well-run club has come.
There is usually transfer activity at Amex Stadium, and Brighton will once again have other clubs eyeing outstanding attacking talent such as Joao Pedro and Kaoru Mitoma. History tells us they will be prepared for such eventualities.
What I said in August: "This may not be the top-six season of a couple of years back but Brighton are always so watchable, and will be again."
'A story that has gone under the radar'published at 11:53 26 May
11:53 26 May
Laura Kenyon Final Score reporter at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
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Fabian Hurzeler's first season at Brighton is a story that has perhaps gone under the radar.
The youngest permanent head coach in Premier League history when appointed aged 31. He has taken his side to the brink of European qualification, something that has only been done once in the club's history.
When scores elsewhere filtered through to the away fans at Tottenham Hotspur stadium, shattering the European dream, the togetherness and team spirit on the pitch was unquestionable.
This was another second-half masterclass. They have been the comeback kings in the top flight this season, shocking the likes of Liverpool along the way.
The Brighton boss admits consistency needs to improve next season but, with a promising first season under his belt, the 'Hurzeler era' is well under way.
'No European adventure' but signs of 'great promise for the future'published at 09:59 26 May
09:59 26 May
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We asked for your thoughts after Brighton's convincing 4-1 away win at Tottenham spoiled the hosts' Europa League party on the final day of the Premier League season.
Here are some of your replies:
Baltos: Great win! However the Seagulls' form over the winter came back to bite us. Chance to dream for next season, providing Brighton hold on to their current players and strengthen the squad, especially in attack. The glass is always half full...
Ella: I would have loved to see us get European football, but I'm not too disappointed. Let's focus on the league next season. Our squad is looking strong and maybe, just maybe, there is a Champions League place for us? Especially as Manchester City may or may not lose a hefty amount of points. All in all, a good season. We only lost nine games, the same as City and Chelsea!
Paul: For Brighton to finish eighth with a young and inexperienced manager, in Premier League terms, and an exciting group of young players - surely most supporters are delighted. Now we have to learn how to beat teams who park the bus. I'm already looking forward to next season, despite no European adventure.
Richard: A very good season overall, but where might we have been had we not dropped points from winning positions against sides in the bottom third of the table and even in the relegation positions? I think second or third would have been possible!
Charlie: Although we didn't make Europe, a season of great improvement and promise for the future was played, especially under a completely new manager. A brilliant effort throughout the season and, despite the ups and downs, we seem to have found a bit of rhythm which we can hopefully carry through to the 2025-26 campaign. I wholeheartedly believe that with some slight changes and improvements, Europe is fully attainable. Up the Albion!
'We left it all out there' - Hinshelwoodpublished at 21:07 25 May
21:07 25 May
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Brighton midfielder Jack Hinshelwood has been speaking to BBC Radio Sussex about the 4-1 win over Tottenham on the final day of the season: "It was really nice. As a team, we were a bit disappointed with the first half. We didn't show as much energy and intensity as we like, but in the second half we really came out. We got the four goals.
"I think we have ended a really positive season in a positive way."
On playing more of an attacking role: "I knew I was going to play further forward during the first half and I tried to be as busy as I could. I'm always alive in the box - it's something that I've always liked to do in my game.
"Today I've got to give credit to the set piece coach, Jonas [Scheuermann], he gave me a specific role from the set-piece, two balls fell to my feet and I managed to put them into the back of the net. So all credit to him as well."
On not taking the penalty for his hat-trick: "I know what it's going to look like - like I didn't fancy it! I did put myself forward, I said that I was on a hat-trick and I was more than happy to take it, but Matt O'Riley said he was the taker and we still needed to win the game.
"At that point, winning the game for the team is more important. So as much as I would've liked to get my hat-trick, it was important we got the win."
On finishing eighth this season: "It's a really positive season. I know it's probably tough to take at the minute, and it is tough to take, because we wanted Europe and we fought hard for it.
"But I don't think we can have any regrets from these past five or six weeks. We left it all out there. We have a great family in the changing room and everyone worked their hardest.
"We just fell a little short but I think we can just use that for fuel next season. We have great foundations to build on now and I think next season is going to be a really exciting one for sure."
'I'm really happy with the team spirit this season'published at 20:11 25 May
20:11 25 May
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Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler has been speaking to BBC Match of the Dayabout the performance and what he said to his team at half-time: "I told them to stay calm in possession and to show more intensity out of possession. The key was to have better positioning, to be cleaner in our passing and touches, and to show the right reaction.
"We showed a great reaction and it was a well-deserved win."
On Jack Hinshelwood's goals: "I'm very happy for him because he is a player from the academy. He suffered a bit in the last little period, but he showed personality. He is great in training and he deserves the two goals. He never gives up. I'm really happy for him."
On missing out on securing European football for next season: "We did all that we could and we played a very good season. Overall, we accept the other results. We have to reflect on this season and then build on it next season."
On Diego Gomez's goal: "Everyone was happy for him. Diego came from a different culture and country. He is a great team player.
"I'm really happy with the team spirit this season."
Tottenham 1-4 Brighton: Key statspublished at 18:53 25 May
18:53 25 May
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Only in 2022-23 have Brighton finished with more points (62) and in a higher position (6th) in a top-flight campaign than in 2024-25, where they have finished on 61 points and sit in eighth place.
In addition, only four sides have won more points in the Premier League in 2025 than the Seagulls' 34.
At 20 years and 44 days, Jack Hinshelwood is the second-youngest player to score in successive Premier League games for the club after Evan Ferguson in January 2023 (18 years and 76 days).
How the race for Europe finished uppublished at 18:30 25 May
18:30 25 May
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It went right down to the final day but the European places for next season are now finally confirmed.
Manchester City and Chelsea's wins saw them secure third and fourth respectively, while Newcastle took the fifth and final Champions League spot despite a final day loss to Everton.
Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest's defeats mean they miss out on the top five but will be heading on European adventures in the Europa and Conference Leagues respectively.
Chelsea's win means there will not be an additional spot for eighth place so Brighton's victory at Tottenham does not creep them into Europe.
Tottenham 1-4 Brighton - send us your thoughtspublished at 18:26 25 May
18:26 25 May
So the curtain has come down on Brighton's season with a thumping win at Tottenham, but it was not enough to clinch European football for 2025-26.
How are you feeling after the game and at the end of a long campaign?
A season of promise or one where Albion have under-achieved?
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