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During Chris Hughton's time at Newcastle United and Brighton one thing has become perfectly clear, he can take a newly promoted side and get the best out of them and keep them safe in the Premier League.
Brighton have made some good signings on paper. However, none of them are Premier League proven and could very well backfire. The big question this year is if they've improved enough to overtake anyone and if those improves are better than those of Huddersfield and Southampton who finished below them last campaign.
It will be interesting to see how Florin Andone performs this season after a sub-par campaign with Deportivo after they rejected a €20 million offer from the Seagulls last August. Meanwhile, Alireza Jahanbakhsh comes into the squad highly recommended from AZ Alkmaar but Hughton may have troubles fitting both the Iranian and Anthony Knockaert.
The Squad
Goalkeepers
In my opinion, Matthew Ryan didn't get half the praise he deserved for some of his performances last season the Australian shot-stopper made 124 saves last season and conceded less goals per game than the likes of Kasper Schmeichel and Jordan Pickford. Their backup options aren't half bad either with new signings David Button and Jason Steele ready in-case Ryan is suspended or injured.
Full-backs
The signing of Bernardo means that Brighton certainly have enough bodies in their left back position. However, there's no guarantee he performs better than Gaetan Bong and with 37-year old Bruno being Brighton's best option at right back they definitely need to make at least one signing in this department.
Centre-backs
The signing of Balogun means that Brighton have a little bit more cover in the centre-back position. Whether he starts ahead of Shane Duffy nobody knows just yet. I can imagine Duffy starts the season but whether he finishes the season as Brighton's second centre-back that's a different question entirely. With Uwe Hunemeier still waiting in the wings Brighton once again have the bodies to cope but whether their back-ups can perform when called upon might be the difference between relegation and survival.
Central midfielders
Last season I thought the central midfield partnership between Dale Stephens, Pascal Gross and Davy Propper was inspired. The three worked so well as a unit despite two of those players just signing for Brighton in the Summer. It will be interesting to see where new signing Yves Bissouma fits into Chris Hughton's plans this season.
Wingers
With Knockaert and Jahanbakhsh and Jose Izquierdo fighting it out for Brighton's two winger positions, it's clear to see where their strength will be in the upcoming season. Safe to say, the Seagulls don't need to improve their wingers.
Centre forwards
This is a position I fear about with Brighton, Glenn Murray might not have another 10-goal season in him and both Tomer Hemed and Jurgen Locadia just didn't look up to scratch last season. If Andone has a poor first season at the club, goals could be hard to come by for the Seagulls.
One to watch: Alireza Jahanbakhsh
Best signing: Alireza Jahanbakhsh
Weak link: Bruno
Signings needed: 3
Expected starting line-up
I believe that Chris Hughton will stay faithful to the side that kept Brighton in the Premier League last season and start most of his new signings on the bench. The exception to that may well be Florin Andone as veteran striker Glenn Murray has only just recovered from an ankle injury meaning he may not be match fit for the opening fixture.
Although I believe Bong will get the nod ahead of Bernardo in the opening game, I can see Bernardo being Brighton's first choice at the end of the season and Hughton will ease in his new young left-back.
The fear factor of Gross, Izquierdo, and Knockaert should be enough to ensure Andone has plenty of support up-front. However, with the 25-year-old not starting a competitive game since March it is yet unsure how fit the Romanian will be.
Final league prediction
This one is a difficult one for me because there are two teams I'm confident will get relegated and there are seven other teams that I feel could get relegated this season and yes Brighton are one of them. However, I think Chris Hughton's side will narrowly escape the drop this pipping a slightly more surprising team on the final day.
Prediction - 17th
Cup competitions
I'm sure Chris Hughton is under no illusion that this will be an easy enough season to give a decent account of themselves in the cup. Hughton will likely play a weakened team in the EFL cup with the hopes of getting his side off to the best possible start in the league.
EFL Cup - Third round
Brighton's fixture list ensures they play most of the teams I expect to be down the bottom at home in the second half of the season meaning unless their away form is fantastic or they perform well against the top teams. They'll likely be quite far down the league when the FA cup starts meaning Hughton will be less likely to go for a cup run this season.
FA Cup - Fourth round
Agree with my predictions? Leave a comment with your predictions for AFC Bournemouth in the upcoming season.
