Who is Brighton & Hove Albion FC’s best player of all time? That is the age-old question among supporters of the team.
Regular readers of my musings will be aware that, in my humble view, Mark Lawrenson remains the best player to have worn an Albion shirt during my lifetime. Joao Pedro, a Brazilian striker, may eventually surpass him, but that is still up for debate.
But there is always room for disagreement, and many Seagulls supporters disagree with me. There are several names at the top of this list, including Glenn Murray, Bobby Zamora, Vincente, and the current German international midfielder Pascal Gross.
It’s kind of odd that Roberto De Zerbi was informed by a previous management that he was unnecessary and free to depart before his arrival. However, he put on a show during the season in which the Albion finished sixth and qualified for the Europa League, and his exploits there completely changed the other person’s perception of football.
Finally recognised at international level, he’s currently on duty with is home nation at the Euro’s, and in the last week or so has been subject to speculation that he might be on the move from the Amex back to the Bundesliga, with both Borussia Dortmund and Eintracht Frankfurt interested.
Gross, who has one year left on his contract, has an extension offer currently on the table, but he’s not expected to make any decisions on his future until after the Euros has finished.
Whilst its imperative that new Albion boss Fabian Hurzeler is backed by chairman Tony Bloom in the transfer window, it is equally as important that a player of Gross’s magnitude stays for at least his first season.
Quite simply in a forthcoming season where some detractors are already tipping Albion for relegation, Gross’s influence both on and off the field will be key to the Seagulls hitting the ground running and proving the detractors wrong.
Albion’s recent history tells us what happens when two important players – Alexis Mac Allister and Moises Caicedo – are sold and not replaced, the last thing Brighton need is history repeating itself.
Clearly, to a degree, there will almost be a transfer hiatus during the Euros. But with the transfer window having opened on 14 June, it wont be long before Fabian and the Albion dip their toes in the water. And the first news we all need to know, is if Gross stays at least for another 12 months.
