Brighton & Hove Albion

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Brighton deputy chairman and chief executive Paul Barber has bought a stake in the club.

Barber, who joined the club in 2012, has purchased newly issued shares and now owns 1.5% of the shares in existence.

Chairman Tony Bloom said: "Paul is a major driving force at the club, he has been integral to our incredible progress since his arrival in the summer of 2012 and we would like him to remain with us for many seasons to come.

"He has already committed to the club until at least 2030, and we wanted to offer him this opportunity to further commit, and also to recognise his level of service and loyalty to the club.

"I regard Paul as the best chief executive in football and I am delighted he is now a co-owner of the club."

Barber commented: "It is a minority and some way behind Tony's majority shareholding, but nonetheless I'm very proud indeed to co-own a small part of a football club I've come to love over the past 13 years."

Nizaar Kinsella
Football reporter

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Serie A's emerging power Como 1907 are weighing up a move for Brighton defender Igor Julio.

The 27-year-old is on the Italian club's shortlist to strengthen their backline but no official offer has been lodged.

But the move could prove attractive with Como well-funded by US investors and now managed by legendary midfielder Cesc Fabregas.

Sources say the Brazilian centre-back would need convincing to return to Italian football having joined Brighton from Fiorentina for £14.5m in 2023.

Yet, Igor has also struggled to establish himself on the south coast and made only 16 appearances last season under manager Fabian Hurzeler due to a mixture of injury and being left on the bench.

Igor started in the 6-0 win at Oxford United in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday evening and it remains to be seen whether Brighton would welcome any offers.

Katie Stafford
BBC Sport journalist

Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League home game against Manchester City (kick-off 14:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• He is "unsure" whether Georginio Rutter will be available for the City game but he is "close" to returning.

• On the emphatic 6-0 Carabao Cup win: "It's so important as it gives you energy. You can feel it in the building today."

• Stefanos Tzimas, who scored twice on his senior debut, "will be an option" for the squad "soon" as "every goal gets him closer to the team".

• On so many players making their debuts against Oxford: "No player here gets a chance just because they are a player for us. They need to deserve it. That is what I demand from them. There is a big competition now [for places] and that is what I like."

• He said it is "a results business" and only getting two points from the opening two games is disappointing, but "long-term the results will come if we keep working".

• More on their start to the campaign: "I judge them by their work ethic and performance. I believe if you keep on working and have the best effort on the pitch then you will get what you deserve in the end."

• He said he is "very happy with the squad" but did not rule out any further incomings before the transfer window closes on Monday.

• In response to whether Carlos Baleba will 100% remain at the club: "Yes. If there was a number more than 100 then I would say that. I am confident."

• Julio Enciso "is back" to continue his rehabilitation as his reported move to Strasbourg appears to have fallen through.

• On opponents Manchester City: "They are still a top team. They are playing a little bit of a different style and shape, but they are still Manchester City."

Follow all of Thursday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Listen to live commentary of Brighton v Manchester City on 5 Live from 14:00 BST on Sunday

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Brighton's 19-year-old forward Stefanos Tzimas says that it's important to "stay grounded" after Wednesday's 6-0 win over Oxford United in the League Cup.

Tzimas came off the bench to score twice and assist once on his first Albion appearance.

"I'm very happy about my debut," Tzimas said. "I scored two goals and managed to help the team but now we have to stay grounded and focused.

"I'm here to work hard, and the guys help me in training a lot. I'm settling well here, and it's a really good environment."

He also credited fellow Greek team-mate Charalampos Kostoulas for helping him feel at home.

"I knew him from Greece four years ago and it's very helpful because we're Greeks who help each other, and we feel better together," he added.

Listen to Tzimas and more Brighton reaction

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

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We asked for your thoughts after Wednesday night's Carabao Cup game between Oxford United and Brighton.

Here are some of your comments:

Andrew: OK, it was Oxford United. Even so, a competent and expected win. The Greek boys looking good, but the jury should be out until they play against the big boys in the Premier League. A much needed win and a confidence booster for the games to come.

Raymond: Good to watch. Could have been eight or 10. Don't read too much into it but defence needs tightening in whatever team we put out.

Sarah: Jason Steele needs to be our number one!

Steve: Great performance giving the manager some serious pause for thought for team selection. Steele in goal was faultless and must be a contender to take over between the posts. Three goalscoring debutants, and Gruda giving a player of the match performance. Finally, Tzimas scoring two and looking like a proper striker! Exciting times ahead!

Mick: A good display against a very physical opposition. Some very good displays. Defence looked good and kept their shape well. The debutants acquitted themselves really well. Gruda was man of the match but Tzimas ran him close with two amazing goals. Begs the question why wasn't he on the bench on Saturday?

Peter: Fabulous display and it looks like we've got a decent number nine in Tzimas. Good displays all round and Gruda and Gomez were superb as well. Hopefully Fabian has seen enough to put Tzimas and Kostoulas in the league side.

Tony: It'll be interesting to see if Tzimas starts on Sunday. He's made quite the impact here.

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Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler on the clinical 6-0 win over Oxford United in the second round of the Carabao Cup: "I think it's positive. We scored six goals, that's a positive thing.

"Of course, we were quite sloppy in some moments. It starts with the first action where we gave away an easy pass, so we invited them to score goals in the first half.

"In the second half we started strong. For the first 70 minutes we played a good game, we created chances. Then again, we had a lot of changes and after the substitutions we lost a bit of structure, but we have a brilliant goalkeeper in Jason Steele.

"Overall, we have to be positive. We created a lot of chances, we kept a clean sheet with a little bit of luck, with a great goalkeeper."

On the importance of having leaders like James Milner and Jason Steele: "I always emphasise how important leaders are for me and they are two great leaders on and off the pitch. They're not only great leaders, but they're also great players.

"I am very pleased with their performance, especially Jason, he made a lot of great saves. I always say we are very, very lucky to have such a good number two in our goal."

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The draw has been made for the Carabao Cup third round, with 15 Premier League clubs having made it through or entering at this stage.

There are two all-Premier League ties, while holders Newcastle host League One Bradford City.

Ties will take place across two weeks, beginning on 15 and 22 September.

All the fixtures featuring top-flight sides are shown below in the order they were drawn:

• Port Vale v Arsenal

• Swansea City v Nottingham Forest

• Lincoln City v Chelsea

• Tottenham Hotspur v Doncaster Rovers

• Brentford v Aston Villa

• Huddersfield Town v Manchester City

• Liverpool v Southampton

• Newcastle United v Bradford City

• Wolves v Everton

• Crystal Palace v Millwall

• Burnley v Cardiff City

• Barnsley v Brighton

• Fulham v Cambridge United

See the full draw

Emlyn Begley
BBC Sport journalist

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Brighton have only picked up one point from their opening two Premier League games so places in the team could well be up for grabs.

And while this was a fully changed team from their defeat by Everton, most of their XI were players who feature in the league – and then there were the youngsters who shone from the bench.

Boscagli struck the opener on his debut following his summer free transfer move from PSV Eindhoven. Gruda and Gomez have both scored for Fabian Hurzeler's team in the Premier League.

And then on came two 19-year-old signings - £20m Tzimas and £10m Watson – and £30m 18-year-old Charalampos Kostoulas.

Tzimas netted twice and set up Watson for number six.

Will some feature on Sunday against Manchester City? You have to imagine so.

Oxford have also started their league season poorly and are one of three EFL teams on zero points.

Their defending and their finishing were equally shocking here – they actually had more shots on target than Brighton managed.

Steele's 10 saves were the most any goalkeeper has had to make in a Carabao Cup tie since February 2024 - but most of those stops were routine.

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

What did you make of Brighton's display?

Eight changes for Oxford from the side who lost 1-0 to Birmingham.

Summer signings Nik Prelec and Luke Harris are on the bench and could come on for debuts.

Oxford XI: Ingram, Long, Moore, Spencer, Currie, Vaulks, Brannagan, Phillips, Placheta, Mills, M Harris.

Subs: Bradshaw, Cumming, De Keersmaecker, Goodrham, Harris, Prelec, Sibley, Snowden, Ter Avest.

Brighton change the entire team who lost 2-0 to Everton.

There are debuts for summer signing defenders Olivier Boscagli and Diego Coppola, and a first start for 17-year-old Harry Howell.

Brighton XI: Steele, Julio, Gruda, Hinshelwood, Milner, Boscagli, Kadioglu, Gomez, Veltman, Coppola, Howell.

Subs: Kostoulas, Lamptey, McGill, O'Riley, Baleba, Simmonds, Tasker, Tzimas, Watson.

There are four games involving Premier League sides in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Everton v Mansfield Town

• Fulham v Bristol City

• Oxford United v Brighton

• Grimsby Town v Manchester United (20:00) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

Kick-off times 19:45 BST unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

Johnny Cantor
BBC Radio Sussex reporter

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What an impressive individual Diego Coppola is at just 21 years of age.

He talks well and is quite charming actually. Very softly spoken but, having seen him on the pitch, there are probably two sides to his personality.

A soft, warm figure when you chat to him, but when you see him on the pitch he is wholehearted and physical. As he said in his interview with me - 'I want the striker to know, I want them to feel me right behind'.

Whether he will be able to do that in the UK we will have to wait and see but he really spoke well and will be itching to get his opportunity.

Knowing where you are is important. Everybody is of a similar age at Brighton. He is 21, Lewis Dunk and Danny Welbeck are older, but the large majority are younger players and he knows he is not going to have to rush. He knows the club will give him time and knows the club will give him opportunities.

That is quite important, knowing where you fit into things, but also just trying to impress every training session. I felt he articulated that very well.

He is not just expecting to just come straight in. He's not just thinking 'I'm an Italy international and I should be coming straight into this side at Brighton', he is more 'no, I have just come into a new club in a new county and I've just got to work hard and deserve to be in the starting XI'.

Listen to Johnny's full chat with Coppola in Albion Unlimited on BBC Sounds

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Summer addition Diego Coppola could make his first competitive appearance for Brighton on Wednesday when they travel to Oxford United in the Carabao Cup, after head coach Fabian Hurzeler hinted at his inclusion during Tuesday's news conference.

The 21-year-old defender is confident he will make the most of any opportunity to play but remains in "no rush" as he enjoys his time with the Seagulls.

"I'm super happy with my situation here and I'm settling in very, very good," Coppola told BBC Radio Sussex's Albion Unlimited podcast. "I've found a house and have a car, so everything is fine.

"Also, on the pitch and the training ground, I really like the work we're putting in. I like the team - we are a young team, so everyone is more or less my age and I'm having good relationships with everybody.

"I've only experienced Hellas Verona - my team in Italy - so let's say the structure and the training ground here is way bigger and with more facilities. A bigger gym, a sauna, a spa - so it's a big step for me and I'm really enjoying it.

"He [Hurzeler] wants us to go 100% in training, have the right mentality and put the team before ourselves – that's the most important thing.

"I think he's quite happy with how I'm doing and I hope I'll get my game time, but there's no rush because the league just started.

"I will get chances - and when I do, I will do good."

Listen to the full chat and more on BBC Sounds

Karan Vinod
BBC Sport journalist

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Brighton are open to the prospect of letting attacking midfielder Facundo Buonanotte leave on loan this summer.

The 20-year-old spent the 2024-25 season on loan at Leicester City and has been linked with a move away to secure regular first-team football.

Sources have told BBC Sport the Seagulls would consider a loan switch.

Buonanotte joined Brighton from Rosario Central in January 2023 and has shown glimpses of his potential in the Premier League. However, the Argentine has struggled for minutes and was on loan last season at Leicester City, featuring in 31 Premier League games and starting in 14 of them.

BBC Sport understands that several clubs are interested in securing the services of the midfielder. Brighton remain keen to ensure that any move would guarantee sufficient playing time to continue his progression

Buonanotte has found the net 13 times in his 103 Premier League appearances with the Seagulls and Leicester City.

The latest episode BBC Radio Sussex's Albion Unlimited podcast has dropped!

Host Johnny Cantor and former Seagull Warren Aspinall preview Brighton's trip to Oxford United on Wednesday evening, plus we hear from midfielder Yasin Ayari on last week's Everton defeat and catch up with summer signing Diego Coppola.

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

Marissa Thomas
BBC Sport journalist

Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler has been speaking to the media before Wednesday's Carabao Cup second-round tie at Championship side Oxford United (kick-off 19:45 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Hurzeler confirmed "everyone is available, we have the full squad" for the trip.

• On a chance to give different players opportunities: "There will be opportunities for players who didn't play that much in the first games, a chance for everyone to show themselves - but I can promise we take it very seriously and there is competition in the squad. We go into this game to try to win it and go into the next round."

• On Oxford United: "We expect an opponent who is very good in their defence and defensive shape. They are very compact and they have a lot of physical players in the last line, so it will not be easy to outplay them. They don't give away a lot of chances. We have to be good regarding the long balls and tough in the personal duels. It will be a challenge and a good opportunity for us to do better than last weekend."

• On the competition: "It's a cup game, a tournament where you can win a trophy. That is the expectation from the club so we have to take it seriously, we want to give our fans what they deserve. I'm sure there will be a lot of away fans again who spend a lot of time and money, so we have to go there and show our best performance. We have to show how good we are."

• On what winning the Carabao Cup can do for a club: "It doesn't have the tradition like the FA Cup, but we saw last season with Newcastle that if you win a title, it is still something special, the supporters are still very proud of their team and they enjoyed celebrating a title together."

• Hurzeler said "there is no new news" regarding the transfer window, adding: "We still have a very big squad so we have to reduce the squad. There are not any things I can comment at the moment. The transfer window closes soon so hopefully we have clarity for our squad and our planning."

• On new defensive signings Diego Coppola and Olivier Boscagli: "I saw them in the friendly games and they made a good impression, so they will have a chance tomorrow to show how good they are, to show that they are competitive for us. They have both integrated into the group quickly. They are good characters with potential to help us. I'm sure they will show a good performance tomorrow and I'm sure long term they will help our squad."

Follow the rest of Tuesday's football news

Scott McCarthy
Fan writer

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In the three transfer windows for which Fabian Hurzeler has been Brighton head coach, Tony Bloom has not so much loosened the purse strings as cut them off and set them on fire.

The Albion have spent a quarter of a billion pounds on new players. Yet despite this splurge, Hurzeler was able to name only one centre-forward in his matchday squad for the trip to Everton - Danny Welbeck.

This led to the comedic scene at Hill Dickinson Stadium of Jan Paul van Hecke being thrown up front in the closing stages. And subsequently strolling offside.

It seems 51 million of those significant transfer chips have been placed alongside gyros in a basket labelled 'Greek teenage strikers'.

Stefanos Tzimas and Charalampos Kostoulas barely featured in pre-season because Hurzeler believes they need a period of adjustment to English football.

If Hurzeler considered them not ready to face Wycombe Wanderers or Stoke City in a friendly, they are unsurprisingly yet to make a Premier League squad.

Which is fair enough. The jump for Tzimas from Bundesliga 2 and Kostoulas from the Greek league is massive. Once they have adapted and are unleashed, they could end up being the best things since tzatziki.

But in the here and now, the opening two games have seen the Albion look woefully short up front and toothless in taking opportunities. We have subsequently made our worst start to a season since our Premier League debut in 2017-18.

By the time the Greek duo have had the weeks (or heaven forbid, months) they need to get ready, there is a very real danger Brighton could be so far off the top seven pace as to make qualifying for Europe difficult.

And that will disappoint a lot of Seagulls supporters who have heard from Hurzeler, the players and decision-makers at the Albion that Europe is the aim after a 'transitional' 2024-25.

Find more from Scott McCarthy at We Are Brighton, external

Johnny Cantor
BBC Radio Sussex reporter

Brighton head coach Fabian Hurzeler said he was happy with his squad both before and after Sunday's defeat at Everton but he has also commented that it is important to 'never say never' when it comes to late business in the window.

Some £50m was spent on Greek teenagers Babis Kostoulas and Stephanos Tzimas. Neither has featured in a Premier League squad so far and despite 30 minutes with the under-21s are not currently deemed ready for the top flight.

Several of you have also been asking about winger Solly March and whether he is likely to play this season via our 'Ask about Brighton' form.

March underwent a procedure on his knee during the early part of the summer and continues with his recovery.

Hurzeler has said he is a little time away from a return to action and will not be rushed back. March is still viewed as an important player and Albion hope he will be available later this year.

Do you have a question about Brighton? If so, get in touch here

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

Here are some of your comments:

Everton fans

Neil: It's a win, though clearly still a lot of work to do and we were not convincing at times in the game. However, there were also a lot of positives to be taken, Pickford as reliable as ever, Grealish and Ndiaye showed what they can do together on the pitch. I think we need more games and clearly a couple of new faces. Great result in our new home!

Gary: This one's for the squad players! Michael Keane, James Garner both brilliant. Gueye superb and Grealish and Dewsbury-Hall added some quality. Great day.

Anton: Much like our last match at Goodison Park, our first match at Hill Dickinson Stadium was only about winning. The performance was better than Monday night but, to be fair, it was difficult for it to be worse. Grealish showed his class, Iroegbunam was very, very good and we scored two nice goals. Let's hope we can still bring in two or three more before the close of the transfer window to set us up for a comfortable season.

Brighton fans

Alfie: Another one of those games for Brighton that's just been a case of wasted chances. Yes, you could say it's one of those days but 'those days' seem to be happening more often than not! If we want Europe we need to learn how to kill a game.

Angry Seagull: That was diabolical. Too slow, missed chances and just embarrassing. To only get one point from six against two teams we should easily beat is very concerning. Dock them all a month's wages after this performance!

Marc: How we didn't win 4-2 suggests it's the same old story of not taking our chances. The squad seems to be unbalanced and we are waiting on our Greek boys to get up to speed. Our forward options were exposed - we didn't have any.

Pundits Troy Deeney and Rob Green join host Gabby Logan to bring you the action and talking points from Sunday's Premier League fixtures.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Crystal Palace 1-1 Nottingham Forest

• Everton 2-0 Brighton

• Fulham 1-1 Manchester United

Phil McNulty
Chief football writer

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Brighton will look back at this defeat and focus on a first half when they created the opportunities to punish Everton, but let the home side off the hook.

When Iliman Ndiaye put Everton in front after 23 minutes, it came against the run and play and with the first signs of anxiety just starting to show at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Karou Mitoma glanced the bar with a good chance, before Danny Welbeck wasted a chance created by Yankuba Minteh, sending a close-range finish over the top with the goal at his mercy.

James Tarkowski, who had a nightmare first 45 minutes, then played a back-pass straight to Matt O'Riley and had to be rescued by Jordan Pickford's bravery at the feet of the Brighton midfielder.

When Jan Paul Van Hecke hit the post, Brighton must have feared this was not going to be their day, with further proof offered up when the excellent Pickford saved Welbeck's penalty, ensuring Fabian Hurzeler's side went home empty-handed.

Fabian Hurzeler spoke to BBC Match of the Day after Brighton's defeat against Everton: "I think overall we were the better team, we created the better chances but in the end football is about scoring and keeping clean sheets. We didn't take care of the small actions and the small elements of the game and this is how you lose."

On the chances Brighton had: "We had a similar situation in the last game where we had chances and we have to be more ruthless. Every player wants to score and a goal always helps. In some moments we didn't defend well when we conceded the goals. We didn't take care of the throw-ins in some moments of the game. We can improve and we have to focus. We have enough chances here to win the game."

Did you know?

• Brighton have failed to win either of their opening two matches of a Premier League season for the first time since 2017-18 – their debut season in the competition (D1 L1).

• Since joining the Premier League ahead of the 2017-18 season, only Manchester City (17) and Manchester United (13) have missed more penalties than the Seagulls (12).

Listen to Hurzeler's chat with BBC Radio Sussex here