Sport
Kudus signing would help take Brighton to a higher level
Brighton provided one of the stories of the season in the Premier League by finishing in the top six. Despite losing their manager, and several key players, over the course of the campaign, the Seagulls continued to soar higher and higher and will soon find themselves among the elite of the European game under Roberto De Zerbi.
De Zerbi has done an exceptional job of building on the foundations left behind by Graham Potter with Brighton a more dangerous attacking outfit than at any other point in their modern history. Now, there are reports they could add Mohammed Kudus to their frontline with the Ajax forward at the top of Brighton’s summer shopping list.
Kudus, who has also been linked to Chelsea and Manchester United, could significantly lift the level at the Amex Stadium. Widely seen as one of the most exciting young, modern attackers in the European game, his signing would be a coup and would make a statement on the ambition of the South coast club.
While Potter struggled to get the best out of his attacking players as Brighton boss, De Zerbi has harnessed the likes of Julio Enciso and Kaoru Mitoma. Alexis Mac Allister also took a step forward in his development under the Italian before leaving to join Liverpool and so there’s precedent for Kudus to draw on.
Mac Allister’s exit has opened up a space in Brighton’s attack. The Argentine was a key connection between the Seagulls’ midfield and forward line and this is where Kudus could have a role to play. The Ghanian is most effective when he has the freedom to exploit space where he sees it. De Zerbi would give this to him just as he gave it to Mac Allister.
Last season was a challenging one for Ajax as they finished third in the Eredivisie table. Erik Ten Hag and several first team players left before the start of the campaign and the Amsterdam outfit struggled for consistency from that point on with Alfred Schreuder sacked as manager after only a few months in charge.
Kudus, however, caught the eye. He has previously stated his desire to play in central midfield as his preferred position, but Ajax’s need for a Sebastien Haller replacement pushed Kudus into the centre forward role where he thrived. Kudus’ appreciation of space and movement in particular makes him a special talent.
Brighton’s model depends on their ability to scout and recruit under-valued talent. From there, they give a platform for these players to reach even higher heights – see Mac Allister, Yves Bissouma, Marc Cucurella, Leandro Trossard and Ben White. Moises Caicedo is expected to join that list of names this summer.
The signing of Kudus would represent a change of tact given the number of elite clubs linked with the Ghanian, but with Brighton now a Europa League club they might have to pluck players from a higher shelf. Kudus would still fit their profile of signing players with high potential who could improve on the south coast. He can get even better.
“To have qualified for European football next season is a truly wonderful achievement and it’s something the players richly deserve,” De Zerbi said last season. ”From the moment I joined the club in September, I could see we had a squad here of real quality; an exciting blend of experienced professionals and young players, who could achieve something special.”
Indeed, Brighton have a talented group, but they will have to attract even more talent if they are to climb any higher up the Premier League ladder. Kudus is someone who could find the Amex Stadium to be the perfect place for his own development. His arrival at Brighton would say something about the direction all parties involved are heading in.
