Brighton & Hove Albion

Image source, PA Media

Brighton fans will "really enjoy" watching new signing Georginio Rutter, BBC Radio Leeds commentator Adam Pope has said.

Speaking on BBC Radio Sussex's Albion Unlimited podcast, Pope spoke about Rutter's time at Leeds - from how the club "would have bitten somebody's hands off" to have a £40m bid for him after his first few months at the club, to becoming a fan favourite who Pope believed had a good chance of being this year's Championship player of the year.

"For the Championship he was unique, the sort of guy who could pick up a ball deep inside his own half and beat three or four players, scoop a pass over the defence and hence gets a bunch of assists," said Pope.

"What you won't get is a prolific goalscorer - if you're looking for a finisher, he's not your man. He is someone who will give you joy and unpredictability and for a very very tall man he's very strong and very difficult to get off the ball, he has unbelievable feet, he's a joy to watch. Very unpredictable, to sum him up.

"For £40m after his first few months [at Leeds] you would have bitten somebody's hands off, you wouldn't have believed it - because he was a bit broken after his Premier League experience when he was relegated, but last year he was brilliant.

"This year there would have been every chance he would've been Championship player of the year if he had stayed."

Can he replicate his Championship form in the Premier League?

Pope said: "I don't expect him to replicate his mercurial sort of talent week in week out in the Premier League, what you will have though is a guy who became an absolute fan favourite.

"He's a really fun, bubbly character with an infectious laugh, in that sense he's great from a club point of view, because he'll get on with the fans and his team-mates - he will be popular straight away, you'll really enjoy him."

"At 22, it's all there in front of him, I don't think the Premier League experience would have harmed him too much, last year built his confidence up. He wanted the Premier League and this is his chance, so you're getting someone who's fully invested in it, if he can improve in the areas I've mentioned then you've got some player on your hands."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

The latest episode of Albion Unlimited from BBC Radio Sussex is available now.

Hear from Brighton goalkeeper Jason Steele on the opening-day win at Everton, BBC Radio Leeds' Adam Pope on new club-record signing Georginio Rutter and a preview of this weekend's Premier League game against Manchester United.

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

We asked for your views on Brighton signing Georginio Rutter and where he will fit into head coach Fabian Hurzeler's side.

Here are some of your comments:

Charlie: I think Rutter will be a great signing. He is one that can make chances, as evidenced by his impressive tally of 22 goal contributions in the Championship 2023-24 campaign. I'm interested to see how he will perform and I wish him the best of luck.

Sam: Brighton adding Rutter is another factor, in a very active summer transfer window, which is taking most Brighton fans by surprise. Having got used to unearthing gems for peanuts, the big-money deals for Rutter, Minteh, Gruda and Wieffer look like making a real difference to the squad. As Mitoma and Pedro are now fit and refreshed, our attacking options look amazing!

Bob: We seem to have two in-form strikers plus two in reserve, yet we have spent £40m on another. Pedro is a top player and Welbeck is firing, so where do they fit in now?

David: So who is on the way out? Joao Pedro, Mitoma, Ferguson or Enciso? We have so many new forwards, most of whom won't play without some departures.

Mick: I think we need to put our trust in Brighton's recruitment policy and team. We have had spectacular successes and a few failures, but all in all we have come out on top. Leeds supporters didn't want to lose him, which speaks volumes. More competition up front has got to be good. In the Albion we trust - keep the faith.

Washy: I assume there is a plan. There is always a plan, but why are we buying so many wingers? We are going to end up like Chelsea at this rate!

Scott McCarthy
Fan writer

What has made Brighton's success over the past three seasons so satisfying is that it has been achieved by punching well above their weight in terms of transfer spend.

The mind still boggles over a starting XI costing £16m winning 3-1 at Old Trafford last September, after which Erik ten Hag tried to justify Manchester United’s defeat by saying Brighton had spent money. An excuse almost as thin as his hairline.

United will visit the Amex this weekend to face a very different looking Albion. And if Ten Hag reaches for the same reasoning should Brighton make it four wins from their past five Premier League matches against the Red Devils, it would be more justified.

Thanks largely to the generosity of Todd Boehly and Chelsea, the Albion have built up a huge war chest. With over a week of the transfer window still to go, Brighton are on course to fork out over £200m this summer.

While most of the Premier League stresses about PSR, Tony Bloom is throwing around money like a schoolboy in a sweetshop.

Whereas Roberto de Zerbi was able to lead Brighton to sixth place free of pressure because nobody predicted them to challenge so high, the spending splurge ramps up expectations.

What does Fabian Hurzeler need to achieve for 2024-25 to be deemed a success in light of £200m worth of new players being added to the squad? A top-10 finish would seem the bare minimum.

Brighton looked more than capable of that with the way they dismantled Everton.

However, there are 37 more games to play, through which Hurzeler will feel the pressure more than any other Brighton manager in the Premier League era so far due to the financial backing he has received.

It all makes for very exciting times to support the Seagulls.

Find more from Scott McCarthy at We Are Brighton, external

Former England midfielder Izzy Christiansen highlighted Kaoru Mitoma as one of the standout performers in Brighton's 3-0 win over Everton on Saturday.

Christiansen believes the Japan international "will be a real success" for the Seagulls this season under new manager Fabian Hurzeler.

"Brighton were fantastic in the attacking half in particular," Christiansen told BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club. "The wingers were brilliant - they looked sharp, slick and created good chances.

"Mitoma is so exciting to watch and I think he will be a real success for Brighton this season."

Watch the full episode on BBC iPlayer or listen on BBC Sounds

Brighton head coach Fabian Hurzeler has told club media, external that new signing Georginio Rutter "has the capabilities to get fans off their seats and really showed what he can do in English football with Leeds last season".

But, what do you think to the new signing? Where would you like to see him fit into the side?

Have your say here, external

We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Everton and Brighton.

Here are some of your comments:

Everton fans

Mal: Wrong tactics, wrong manager - I said this last season and nothing has changed. Pickford long balls to Harrison, who then crosses it to Calvert-Lewin, who rarely scores from open play. This didn't work last season and it won't work this season. Everton has a manager in Dyche who stubbornly won't change his system. If only Moyes was available...

Gary: Same old Everton, I'm afraid. It's going to be a very long season but at least we have a few more games to play before we really know how it will pan out. We just don't have pace at the back with Young and Coleman, who has been a fantastic servant but his legs are not 21 any more.

Lee: Thought we started really well - then typical Everton turned up! Young cost us a chance of even getting back into game - really poor from him. I'd rather start with three at the back. Very, very disappointing.

Brighton fans

Charlie: I love this club but, honestly, in the first 20 minutes we were all over the place and lucky not to concede. However, when we eventually took hold of the game, we played fluidly and progressively. In terms of attack, we were ruthless, skilful and easy on the eye. In Hurzeler we trust.

PH: We gradually worked our way into the game and took control. We could have scored more but we played it around and stretched the 10 men of Everton in order to keep the clean sheet. Excellent execution of the gameplan, especially in the second half.

William: Brighton were great - the best way Hurzler's tenure could have started. They certainly grew into the match, and while there were some nervy moments at the start, we didn't look back. If we keep playing like this, Europe may be on the cards after all.

Gary Lineker introduces highlights and analysis from Saturday's six Premier League fixtures, plus the best of the action from Friday's game between Manchester United and Fulham.

If you missed Match of the Day, you can catch up now on BBC iPlayer.

Listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Arsenal 2-0 Wolves

• West Ham 1-2 Aston Villa

Image source, Getty Images

Brighton have won their opening Premier League game in each of the past four campaigns, the longest current such winning run.

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

Have your say on Everton's performance?, external

What did you make of Brighton's display?, external

Come back to this page on Monday to find a selection of your replies

Follow reaction and read the match report

There are six games on the opening Saturday of the 2024-25 Premier League and BBC Sport will bring you all the action and reaction throughout the day.

*All times are BST

Follow live here

A new season, and a new challenge for BBC Sport's prediction expert Chris Sutton.

Sutton faced off against a guest for each of the 38 game weeks in 2023-24 and triumphed 21-10 (with seven draws) to secure his second predictions title in a row.

In the first week of the new season, his opponent is The Courteeners frontman Liam Fray.

The pair have both given their prediction for Everton v Brighton on Saturday.

Sutton's prediction: 1-0

Everyone will be watching this to see what brand of football Brighton play under their new manager Fabian Hurzeler, and if he has tweaked it compared to their style under Roberto de Zerbi.

If the Seagulls' players are still settling into a new system then it definitely helps Everton. We know that they will be battle-hardened under Sean Dyche and I just wonder if the Toffees will have too much nous for them.

Dyche always seems to have been fighting fires since taking over but without last season's points deductions they would have been in mid-table for most of the campaign and that is where I think they will end up this time.

Liam's prediction: 2-1

I am mates with Everton keeper Jordan Pickford so I have got to back them here, he will not be happy if I do not!

I love watching him for England but he encapsulates his club so much because he has got so much character and spirit, so I hope for his sake they get off to a half-decent start.

Read the full predictions and have your say

Image source, Getty Images

Brighton midfielder James Milner says "there is plenty to be excited about" before the start of the new 2024-25 Premier League season.

Milner, who will be playing in his 23rd top-flight campaign, told BBC Radio Sussex: "The squad has plenty of potential and the new manager [Fabian Hurzeler] has come in and built on that. He has how own ideas, so I am excited for this season.

"We have a tough start [against Everton] but we are ready and we have had a decent pre-season. We are looking fit and aggressive without the ball, as well as maintaining that with it.

"I will play anywhere, but at this stage in my career I think I can help the team more in midfield. When you are in the middle of the action you can help the boys around you and try to influence the game as much as possible.

"I don't really want to put too many targets on this season but there is plenty to be excited about. Hopefully we can start well, get on a good run and then that puts you in a good position for the rest of the season."

Listen to the full interview on BBC Sounds

Brighton have made an improved offer for 26-year-old defender Olivier Boscagli –who played for France at youth level - but it is still not enough for PSV Eindhoven. (Voetbal International - in Dutch), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column

Image source, Getty Images

Leeds boss Daniel Farke told the media that Georginio Rutter "said goodbye" to his team-mates and the coaching staff this morning.

The forward is set to leave imminently after Brighton activated a £40m release clause.

"I expect that he will leave," said Farke. "It is not in our hands anymore. The news came while we were preparing for the game yesterday afternoon.

"This morning was pretty emotional because he said goodbye. I can't confirm anything yet because he hasn't officially signed but it was emotional with all of his team-mates.

"I expect it to be confirmed in the next 24-48 hours, so I am pretty sure we will be without him for our next matchday."

Watch Farke's full response to the departure of Rutter here, external