Brighton & Hove Albion

Brighton forward Danny Welbeck speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live: "I've had a good pre-season. I'm feeling fit. I'm feeling strong and long may it continue. I am looking forward to the season ahead.

"Brighton as a club from the top down to the bottom is full of good people.

"The facilities are amazing, we've got a great manager to play under and hungry players who want to improve every day. To be part of the process and trying to elevate the club to the next level is something I am looking forward to over the next few years.

"Graham Potter took a different path to managing in the Premier League but he has his own way and beliefs on the way the team should play. Going into a game every single player knows what we want to do as a team to exploit the other teams weaknesses, how we are going to defend, no stone is left unturned.

"He gives you his ideas and you have a template but he gives you that bit of freedom to express yourself.

"He is very hands on. When we set up in a shape it's hands on and we will go through different stages on what we'll do. He analyses the other teams and he also speaks to the players to see if they are comfortable doing things in a certain way."

Andy: David Moyes putting out the same old stale team that has failed to beat Brighton in all their recent attempts, afraid to use his new signings. Baffling. We're playing a team who are experts in taking points off us - surely trying something new is the way to go

Scott McCarthy, We Are Brighton, external

Oh, Neal!

Brighton have a big decision to make over the future of their top scorer from the past three seasons, Monsieur Maupay who has been attracting the attention of Nottingham Forest and Serie A side Salernitana.

Maupay is out of contract next summer and with Danny Welbeck and Deniz Undav now seemingly ahead of him in the pecking order, he would appear unlikely to pen a new Albion deal when his opportunity for game time at the Amex looks to be more restricted than ever before.

If the Albion therefore want to receive some sort of financial compensation for a bloke signed for around £18m three summers ago, the current transfer window is realistically their last chance to do so.

To sell Maupay though would come with considerable risk. Welbeck's fitness record suggests he will spend some time out injured this season.

Undav is unproven at Premier League level. The step up from Belgian Pro League to English football is huge. If Undav struggles and Welbeck is ruled out, then an Albion side known to have lacked firepower since Glenn Murray was phased out by Graham Potter will look even more woefully short of goals.

Maupay is good for eight to 10 goals per season. To a club like Brighton, that is huge. With so much prize money on offer in the Premier League, the Albion might be better off accepting Maupay departing on a free in a year's time, rather than taking the £15m rumoured fee and putting themselves a Welbeck injury away from a potentially difficult position.

There is one alternative, of course. Sell Maupay and use some of the £175m banked from his sale and the departures of Ben White, Yves Bissouma, Marc Cucurella and Dan Burn to bring in a new centre-forward.

That is an option that would be sure to excite fans who believe that a clinical striker is the one piece of the jigsaw missing to turn this good Brighton team into a great Brighton team.

Brighton captain Lewis Dunk has praised how the club's summer signings have embraced the Albion squad's work ethic in their early weeks at the club.

Ivorian striker Simon Adingra, Paraguayan forward Julio Enciso and 19-year-old defender Levi Colwill - on loan from Chelsea - are all settling into life on the South coast.

"The new boys have integrated well and it’s an easy group to get into because everyone gets on and everyone is there to help each other," Dunk told BBC Radio Sussex

"We’ve got a good work ethic every day in training. If you don’t buy into the way we are then you won’t last long here, but thankfully everyone does."

The central defender also described playing behind Moises Caicedo as "a pleasure" and added: "He makes it easy, doesn’t he!

"He’s stepping up and he’s a still a young boy with a lot to learn but he's showing his potential and how good he is at this moment.

"He's a pleasure to have in front."

Listen to the Albion Unlimited podcast here

Image source, Getty Images

Brighton boss Graham Potter says "humble" midfielder Moises Caicedo is "a delight to work with" and has dismissed speculation that he could be about to move away from the club as the usual noise is made during a transfer window.

Ecuador international Caicedo has impressed since making his Albion debut in April, and has been linked with Premier League rivals Manchester United and Liverpool.

"He's a really humble person, loves playing football," said Potter of the player, who has made just 10 Premier League appearances to date.

"Really low maintenance as a player, just comes and wants to join in his football with his team-mates. He's really enjoying his football, as you can imagine.

"He's only young, but he's got such a high possibility we think. We love him here.

"As for speculation, it is what it is. While the transfer window is open you always get that type of stuff but he's really enjoying his football here and we're really enjoying having him.

"As a coach, he's a delight to work with. He hasn't played many games, but he hasn't lost that many in the Premier League either so maybe he thinks it's a little different than it is, but long may that continue of course."

Image source, BBC Sport

Sutton's prediction: 1-1

West Ham have lost their first two matches but they had a difficult pre-season with injuries, and I certainly don't think there is any reason to panic.

The Hammers will turn the corner soon, but they haven't beaten Brighton in 10 attempts since the Seagulls returned to the Premier League in 2017, and I don't see that run ending here.

Graham Potter's team are superbly organised and I'd back them to get something from this game too.

GK's prediction: 0-0

Find out how GK and Sutton think the rest of the weekend's fixtures will go and vote here

Alistair Magowan
BBC Sport at Elland Road

Two clubs in a period of transition, and on the face of it, you'd suspect Leeds have the harder task.

Losing Kalvin Phillips and Raphinha, who was in Chelsea's sights at one point, are big shoes to fill. But Jesse Marsch's side have shown no signs of a hangover, starting brightly to their new season with the likes of new recruits Tyler Adams, Marc Roca and Brenden Aaronsen proving they will provide plenty of energy in trying to replace the former duo.

And what about Rodrigo? Three goals already makes him the Premier League's joint top scorer. Marsch says in his programme notes it's a group which has "a lot of improvements to make".

Playing Chelsea is one of them. The last time Leeds beat them in the Premier League, it was 20 years ago.

Chelsea are not the only side in need of a striker. Leeds boss Jesse Marsch says the right profile of forward would be "helpful" to effectively balance his squad.

United have been on the hunt for a striker throughout the summer and bid for Belgian forward Charles De Ketelaere, who instead opted to join AC Milan from Club Brugge.

An injury to Patrick Bamford, which will keep him out of Sunday's home game with Chelsea, further underlines the possible need for reinforcements.

Asked if he would like a forward, Marsch replied: "I still feel to balance out our squad effectively it would be helpful.

"But we need the right guy and I don't want to bring in somebody who would take three months to adapt and educate and then not be ready to help us. Who can meet the standards we need in the squad?"

The American did admit that Leeds had an interest in Zurich's 18-year-old Italy international striker Wilfried Gnonto, but that he would be one for the future.

"We know him and we think very highly of him," said Marsch. "He is a young, talented player. With him it would be more of a long-term project. Maybe with that comment you can read into whether it will happen this transfer window."

Marsch added: "We are very active in pursuing things and we have some strategies. Let's see how they play out. We still have time.

"There will be movement, with us and some other teams. Some dominoes will start to fall and we need to be prepared to act on those."

Chelsea can expect to challenge for honours this season if they continue to deepen the quality in their squad, says the club's former defender Michael Duberry.

The Blues have made a string of signings this summer including Raheem Sterling, Marc Cucurella, Kalidou Koulibaly and Carney Chukwuemeka.

But Duberry told The Football News Show: "Tuchel needs to get a goalscorer, to give this tiger a bite that’s going to scare people off. Aubameyang, yes he’s worked with Tuchel before but is he the fit?

"The way Chelsea played against Spurs, pressing high, full of energy, will Aubameyang do that? You’re scratching your head as to what striker will play that role, that will give them that selfless running and still bag 20 goals a season.

“The realistic expectation is to be challenging for the title.

"That’s the demand of the club. Can they challenge Man City and Liverpool? Yes. Can they sustain it to the very last? That’s questionable.

"Can they challenge on all fronts, European as well? They need to bolster their squad to do that. It’s a big ask, once you go past Christmas.

"It’s a big demand on the players, that’s when you see fatigue set in. You need a bigger squad to share the load. Not just a big squad but where quality doesn’t dip. It’s a huge ask and an expensive one.”

Chelsea fan Ross Mooring, Chelsea Fancast, external

When it comes to identifying talent and good transfer signings, it is fair to say that no one in football - or any sport for that matter - has a crystal ball.

Whether it be John Terry or Frank Lampard, neither of whom were widely heralded to become truly world class players as they did, or Fernando Torres or Romelu Lukaku, both of whom underdelivered as "sure fire" signings, arguably the most important thing in football is to have a coherent squad-building strategy.

For one, this enables clubs to maximise the bang they get for their buck and avoid wasting money on high-priced, risky or average signings. But it also allows teams with above average youth academies to find the right pathways for their best prospects.

Chelsea have been, for a long time, guilty of mismanaging both processes. The best clubs at this are the likes of Southampton, Dortmund, RB Leipzig, Wolves, Leicester and a host of others, who are able to consistently retain and identify young talent, buying them on the cheap and selling for a huge profit to the most well-backed clubs.

With regards to Chelsea, one of the first things Todd Boehly identified as he bought the Stamford Bridge side was that he already had in Thomas Tuchel a world class coach to manage his team. Most new owners tend to do the opposite and hire their own man, but Boehly not only stuck with the German, but has backed him to the hilt.

However, in giving Tuchel more power in the transfer market, the club can fail to take into account its own talent identification, both internally and externally. As a result, this can increase risk and inefficiency when it comes to new signings and also ignores the message this sends to young players.

When purchasing lots of high-priced first team players, are they significantly better than options already at the club? Given the reported high-level interest in the likes of Callum Hudson-Odoi, Trevoh Chalobah, Armando Broja, Levi Colwill and recent signings such as Christian Pulisic and Hakim Ziyech, are we sure they are really inferior to those now being linked with moves to Chelsea?

Essentially, is the juice worth the squeeze with big money signings and their accompanying wages, eg; Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang? And what do the signings of Carney Chukwuemeka, Cesare Casadei and potentially Anthony Gordon say to already present academy products of a similar ilk in Charlie Webster and England under-19 captain Harvey Vale?

It is worth remembering the old maxim "the grass isn't always greener on the other side".

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea have started the season without a first-team striker... and the question is: Do they need one?

Romelu Lukaku's £97.5m return last summer was meant to be the missing piece in the jigsaw but after only eight Premier League goals he has returned to Inter Milan on loan.

Timo Werner, who often played out wide but could also play as a striker, has also gone back to his old club, RB Leipzig.

Both players scored last Saturday on their returns to their previous clubs.

That leaves only 20-year-old Albania international Armando Broja - who is not likely to be a regular starter - as a Blues striker.

So who could Chelsea sign? Will Broja get a chance? Or will they go through the season without a number nine?

You can read more here.

Alistair Magowan
BBC Sport

Chelsea have already had a busy summer following the new American owners taking over at the club and there are no signs it’s likely to get any quieter ahead of the transfer window shutting, especially after signing Brighton defender Marc Cucurella for £62m.

That deal was significant in many ways. It could be argued that Raheem Sterling and Kalidou Koulibaly represented decent value, but most observers would recognise that Chelsea went above market price to land Cucurella, and that will trigger other clubs with players that are of interest to the Blues.

Leicester have already knocked back two bids for defender Wesley Fofana and it could take a world-record offer, for a defender, to change the Foxes’ ‘not-for-sale’ stance.

Likewise, Everton do not want to sell Anthony Gordon and have rejected a £45m bid. But if they get more that £50m for the 21-year-old, manager Frank Lampard may wonder if that money could be better used to solve his shortage in attack.

Boss Thomas Tuchel has made no secret of his fondness for Barcelona striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, having coached him at Borussia Dortmund, and there have been links to Barca midfielder Frenkie de Jong.

But dealing with the financially-complex Catalan club could prove tricky, and if Chelsea eventually land six first-team players, including Carney Chukwuemeka, they may feel it has been a successful summer.

There are sure to be several outgoings too in the next fortnight, thereby continuing a hectic summer for a club which is transforming at a lightning pace under new chairman Todd Boehly.

Image source, Getty Images

It has already been a busy summer at Chelsea, but it does not sound like their transfer dealings are done yet. Not by a long shot.

Everton rejected a new formal offer of about £45m from the Blues for forward Anthony Gordon this week.

This is Chelsea's second approach for Gordon after a £40m offer earlier this week, but Everton are insisting they are not entertaining bids for the talented 21-year-old local product.

It is anticipated that Chelsea will return with an improved offer.

If I was Everton, I'd snap their hand off.

The hunt for Gordon appears to have set in motion Callum Hudson-Odoi's potential departure from the club on loan. Newcastle are apparently interested in signing Chelsea trio Hudson-Odoi, Conor Gallagher and Christian Pulisic on permanent deals and want to bring in Armando Broja on loan, according to The Daily Telegraph’s Luke Edwards.

And then there's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Frenkie de Jong and more. Looks like Todd Boehly has bought himself a £4.25bn copy of Football Manager.

Glenn Murray
Former Crystal Palace striker on BBC Radio 5 Live

Chelsea are missing that focal point. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is ageing but can still do a job in the Premier League. It ended at Arsenal under a cloud but when you look at the stats he is still doing it at the top level.

The other caveat is that he has played and been very successful under Thomas Tuchel, who knows how to handle him.

Nii: Four academy graduates in Chelsea team today. Reece James, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Conor Gallagher, and Mason Mount. Let’s see what they deliver. Am not one for having too many in a team at a time.

Ryan: With Conor Gallagher, Raheem Sterling and Mason Mount’s energy on the flanks and in the centre, I see a positive result for the blues. Kalidou Koulibaly at the back with Thiago Silva and Reece James! Ouch.

Brighton would lose their whole philosophy and key players if they lost manager Graham Potter, believes former Albion defender Adam Virgo.

"He is the key to everything. We would lose our philosophy and key players if we lost Graham Potter," Virgo told the Albion Unlimited podcast.

"The biggest issue Brighton will ever have is him because if one player goes, he has the jigsaw to bring someone else in.

"We know that if we play well and finish as high as possible then the best players will move on.

"We can't offer them Champions League football or offer them hundreds of thousands like Chelsea and Tottenham have to our two departures [Marc Cucurella and Yves Bissouma].

"But what we can do is sell on players for a profit and they've done that remarkably well."

• Listen to Albion Unlimited

The latest Brighton player to be linked with a departure is striker Neal Maupay, with Nottingham Forest and Serie A side Salernitana both reportedly interested.

But Virgo thinks it will be Potter who will have the final decision on the Frenchman.

"I think the proof will be in the pudding as to whether Graham let's him go," he added.

"The club aren't in the position where they need £15m for a player, so for him to go now, it is more likely to be a manager's decision.

"They might feel that they've got everything out of him and it's the right time for him to move on.

"If he does go then fans will have to trust and respect the manager's decision and how sometimes your time at a club does just come to an end."

Stuart Matthews, Proud Seagulls, external

What a starter question!

After a brilliant finish to last season and an amazing start to this season it can only be Brighton.

Graham Potter wants to create long-lasting memories for all fans. If we build on finishing ninth last season then anything is possible. Don't get me wrong, if we finished inside the top six it would be amazing and also nerve-racking as we'd play in Europe and experience all that such a journey entails.

I think we have every chance of finishing higher than West Ham and we've made a habit of staying up when others put us down.

We can and do out-play a lot of our opposition. Last season we had a lot of draws and if we can convert them to three points, well, watch this space.

Over the summer we didn't make many signings, in fact we lost a few good players. So for our first game I was expecting us to lose having never won at Old Trafford. But we won and helped Manchester United by scoring for them.

I can't see West Ham doing better than last season although they have been consistent in being in the top 10.

So Brighton to finish seventh or eighth and West Ham eighth or ninth.

Mia Claydon, Green Street Hammers, external

Although I believe Brighton will beat (or gain some points against) West Ham, I think the Hammers will rank higher in the final standings.

David Moyes' squad have struggled to get their campaign off the ground, including a hard-to-swallow defeat by Nottingham Forest. Brighton are a 'bogey' team for West Ham - the Seagulls almost always come away with points.

Graham Potter's team have taken four points from their first two games and aspire to hit the top half of the table. Losing Marc Cucurella and Yves Bissouma in the same transfer window is a tough one to take, but Brighton show yearly why they deserve to be in the Premier League - with or without superstars.

With European football secured for the past two seasons, I can't help but think any lower than seventh will be a failed season for the Hammers. The transfer window hasn't finished, and transfers are still likely for both teams, but I think the quality of West Ham's squad cannot be questioned.

I don't believe Brighton have the squad to make the European places, but Potter has instilled a fantastic philosophy that is worrying to teams across the league.

That's a big claim there from James.

It has got me thinking, though... if for some reason West Ham losing 1-0 at Nottingham Forest isn't in fact the "most unlucky and undeserved loss in the history of football", then what is?

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