Brighton & Hove Albion 2025/26 Season Preview
Brighton enter the 2025/26 Premier League season with confidence after matching last season’s respectable eighth-place finish, even though they missed out on Europe once again. A tough run of injuries and a late-season dip prevented an even better outcome, but the mood is optimistic as head coach Fabian Hürzeler looks to build on that success.
Fixing the Defense, Youthful Attack on the Rise
The club knows its defence needs work. They conceded 59 goals last season, and with captain Lewis Dunk entering the final year of his contract, finding long-term solutions is essential. To address this, Brighton brought in promising defenders like Italy Under-21 centre-back Diego Coppola, Olivier Boscagli on a free from PSV, and talented left-back Maxim De Cuyper.
Up front, Brighton handled the loss of João Pedro to Chelsea by signing record-breaking Greek talent Charalampos Kostoulas. Alongside him, fellow Greece U-21 players — Stefanos Tzimas and Sunderland hero Tommy Watson — have arrived to strengthen attacking depth. Winger Kaoru Mitoma remains vital to their offense, and his presence gives the team added firepower.
Leadership Stability and Financial Strength
Coach Hürzeler, despite being the league’s youngest manager, continues to gain trust and support. Off the field, the club remains financially robust. A £73.3 million profit — boosted by player sales — helps reinforce Brighton’s position, backed by the long-term commitment of chair Tony Bloom and the retention of CEO Paul Barber through 2030.
Goalkeeper Performance Key to Consistency
Goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen stands out as one of the world’s most valuable young keepers, according to the CIES Football Observatory. Though he showed flashes of brilliance, inconsistency at times raises concerns. His continued development and reliability will be crucial to Brighton’s defensive stability this season.
Season Outlook: Can Brighton Push for Europe?
With a solid base, strong leadership, and shrewd reinforcements, Brighton look well positioned to challenge for a higher league finish. If the defensive rebuild succeeds and the new attacking talents adapt quickly, a renewed push for European qualification is within reach.
Prediction
A top-half finish, around 8th place, seems realistic. Brighton have built momentum and infrastructure that suggest they can remain competitive — this placement balances their promise with the challenges ahead.
