Blogs

What Could Have Been: Brighton Edition

Stories

What Could Have Been: Brighton Edition

Brighton & Hove Albion’s rise from football league minnows to an established Premier League club with European ambitions has been remarkable.

Since their promotion in 2017 the Seagulls have gone from strength to strength, having participated in the UEFA Europa League, beating the likes of Ajax and producing some of the very talent in world football.

With that being said, Football Park looks to create a starting XI of the best former Brighton & Hove Albion players.

Roberto Sanchez

Robert Sanchez has had a rollercoaster of a career at Chelsea so far.

The 27-year old joined Chelsea from Brighton for £20 million plus £5 million in add-ons during the summer of 2023.

Sanchez recorded 90 appearances for the Seagulls over five seasons, establishing himself as the number one from 2020 until his departure.

Robert Sanchez #FIFACWC pic.twitter.com/vQM7WHjljL
— CFC Pics (@Mohxmmad) July 4, 2025

The Spanish goalkeeper has failed to find the consistency that he once had with Brighton since his switch to West London.

Despite making 59 appearances in two seasons at Stamford Bridge, Sanchez has had to fight to keep his spot in the starting eleven.

Chelsea have managed to win the UEFA Europa Conference League since Sanchez’ arrival at the club. However, Filip Jörgensen was given the starting role for the competition with Sanchez making just one appearance.

On the international front, Sanchez has represented Spain on three occasions.

Ben White

With only 39 appearances to his name, Ben White’s short stint in the Brighton first team was one to remember.

The versatile defender spent one season in the Premier League with the Seagulls, having previously spent time on loan with Newport County, Peterborough United and Leeds United.

His loan spell with the latter proved to be very successful as Leeds United won the Championship with White playing a major role - being named in the PFA Team of the Year for the Championship.

Attempts to sign the defender on a permanent deal were rejected by Brighton, who benefited mightily from the returning White, who went on to win the clubs Player of the Season and receive a call-up to the England national team.

This man is such an underrated player in this Arsenal squad. He had a few setbacks last season but I have no doubt Ben White will be a big player under Mikel Arteta in 2025/26. pic.twitter.com/GTVZLKOdxA
— now.arsenal (@now_arsenaI) June 19, 2025

White has been an ever-present member of Mikel Arteta’s side since the transfer, helping Arsenal become a force in the Premier League once again.

Ben White has registered 160 appearances for the Gunners, scoring six goals.

Levi Colwill

Levi Colwill only played 22 matches for the Seagulls, while on loan from Chelsea.

However, the English defender made such an impression that Brighton attempted to bring him to the AMEX Stadium on a permanent basis.

A rejected bid worth £30 million put an end to Colwill’s time on the south coast.

Levi Colwill #CFC pic.twitter.com/mGaCTKJTqR
— CFC Pics (@Mohxmmad) June 28, 2025

The 22-year old has since represented England at senior level, registering four caps having made his debut in 2023.

Dan Burn

Not many top-flight footballers have had a career path like Dan Burn.

The 6 '7 defender began his career with Darlington before securing permanent move to Fulham and Wigan Athletic.

After two seasons with the Tics, Brighton agreed a deal with Wigan to bring the defender to the south coast for an undisclosed fee.

A reliable and versatile defender, Burn is able to play centre-back or left-back. The 33-year old registered 85 appearances for the Seagulls, captaining the side on numerous occasions.

Having supported and played for boyhood club Newcastle United in the past, Burn completed a switch to the Magpies in January 2022 for £13 million.

Dan Burn is having a 𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐤:

▪️ Sunday: scores in Newcastle's EFL Cup final win

▪️ Friday: makes England senior debut at 32

🍾 pic.twitter.com/BFe2kEbwLJ
— B/R Football (@brfootball) March 21, 2025

The Geordie defender has been a huge success since returning, helping guide Newcastle to the UEFA Champions League twice and scoring in the Carabao Cup final to secure the clubs first major trophy in 70 years.

Burn has also made an impact on the international stage, being given his England debut in 2025 and has gone on to make two appearances for the Three Lions.

Marc Cucurella

Marc Cucurella’s single season with Brighton is viewed by many as one of the best in club history.

Having arrived from La Liga side Getafe in 2021, Cucurella immediately displayed that he was one of the best players in his position across the entire league.

Cucurella registered 38 appearances for the Seagulls, helping them reach a 9th placed finish in the Premier League.

The Spanish fullback swept up the club awards at the end of the campaign, winning both Players’ Player of the Season and Brighton Player of the Season.

Cucurella departed from London in August 2022, signing for Chelsea for a fee of £55 million, potentially rising to £62 million with add-ons.

Despite his immediate fast start with Brighton, the same couldn’t be said for Cucurella’s debut season with the Blues.

The former Barcelona academy product, failed to impress during his first campaign with Chelsea, coming under heavy scrutiny.

However, he would find himself in a better position the following season.

🇪🇸 Marc Cucurella 🏆

2024: UEFA EURO winner
2025: UEFA Conference League winner #UECLfinal pic.twitter.com/miOWETOyAw
— UEFA Conference League (@Conf_League) May 29, 2025

Cucurella has gone on to make 111 appearances for Chelsea, winning the UEFA Europa Conference League in the process.

He has also become a regular face in the Spanish national team, playing a pivotal role in the nation winning the Euro 2024.

Moises Caicedo

Regarded as one of the best defensive midfielders in the world, Moises Caicedo is another Brighton player who departed for West London.

Despite making 53 appearances for the Seagulls, it was Caicedo’s final season with the club that put him on the map. The Ecuador international played in all but one Premier League match during the 2022/23 campaign.

Caicedo garnered interest from Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal over the course of the season with all three clubs submitting proposals above £70 million for his services.

Liverpool believed they had won the race in August 2023, having agreed a deal with Brighton worth £111 million. However, Chelsea re-entered the race offering a package worth £115 million.

Moisés Caicedo has made more tackles than any other midfielder at the #FIFACWC (12). 💪 pic.twitter.com/9fnkYH80F5
— WhoScored (@WhoScored) June 30, 2025

Caicedo has turned into one of the most important players in the Chelsea squad, winning Players’ Player of the Season and Player of the Season for 2024/25 - a similar feat to what we achieved at Brighton.

Caicedo has won the UEFA Europa Conference League with the Blues.

Alexis Mac Allister

With a World Cup, Copa America and Premier League on his resume, Alexis Mac Allister is familiar with winning at the highest level.

The 26-year old has played a major role in the success for club and country.

Having joined Brighton Argentinos Juniors in 2019, Mac Allister spent four years with the Seagulls registering 112 appearances.

His performances with Brighton earned him a call-up to the Argentina senior team and the opportunity to represent his nation at the 2022 World Cup.

Mac Allister helped Brighton qualify for the UEFA Europa League for the first time in club history, finishing as the clubs top goalscorer.

He would also be shortlisted for the UEFA Men’s Player of the Year award, coming in 10th place.

What a journey it's been for Alexis Mac Allister.

◉ 2022 - Wins the World Cup
◉ 2024 - Wins the Copa América
◉ 2025 - Wins the Premier League

What's next? 🏆 pic.twitter.com/ht1JAuLN83
— Squawka (@Squawka) April 27, 2025

Following a tremendous campaign, Mac Allister signed with Liverpool for £35 million, rising to £55 million

Mac Allister would be an instant hit with the Reds, making 95 appearances and scoring 14 goals in two seasons.

Liverpool have gone on to win the Premier League and Carabao Cup with Mac Allister in the heart of the midfield.

Yves Bissouma

A key player in the recent history of Brighton & Hove Albion, Yves Bissouma was considered to be one of the best players at the club during his time with the Seagulls.

A strong and technically sound midfielder, the Mali international spent four seasons on the south coast, making 124 appearances. Bissouma was part of the Brighton side which reached a then-record points total of 44 points.

The 28-year old would leave the club in June 2022 for Tottenham Hotspur in a deal worth £30 million.

Yves Bissouma vs Man Utd in the #UELfinal:

42 touches
100% dribbles completed (1/1)
100% tackles won (4/4)
8 duels won
6 clearances
4x possession won
2 interceptions
1 block
7.57 WS rating

The best rated outfield player on the pitch. 👏 pic.twitter.com/sjfkcVP2HF
— WhoScored (@WhoScored) May 22, 2025

Bissouma had an up-and-down debut campaign with Spurs showing flashes of what he had produced at Brighton but a lack of consistency and game time proved to be an issue.

The Mail international would have a better second season for the club but injury would cost him a portion of the season.

Bissouma was a constant in the Tottenham Hotspur side that won the UEFA Europa League in 2024/25, starting in the final against Manchester United.

Joao Pedro

The fourth player in the XI to make the switch for Brighton to Chelsea is João Pedro.

The Brazilian forward recently completed a £60 million switch between the two clubs following a Brighton career consisting of 30 goals in 70 appearances.

Pedro joined the Seagulls in 2023 for a club-record £30 million and proved to be a success scoring six goals in six UEFA Europa League matches.

João Pedro makes his Chelsea debut ➡️ pic.twitter.com/4DTnMr0FRC
— B/R Football (@brfootball) July 5, 2025

A versatile forward who can play across the front four positions, Joao Pedro has only made one appearance for the Blues so far but is expected to bolster Chelsea’s attacking options this season.

Viktor Gyokeres

The most prolific goalscorer in European football, Swedish striker Viktor Gyokeres was once on the books at Brighton & Hove Albion.

Having joined the Seagulls in 2017 from Brommapojkarna, Gyokeres spent four seasons with Brighton but would only make eight appearances, scoring once.

Gyokeres would spend his time on loan with St. Pauli, Swansea City and Coventry during his spell with Brighton.

A permanent move to Coventry City in 2021 proved to be a decision which changed the career of the centre-forward.

Viktor Gyökeres stats for 2023/24:

🟢 49 appearances
⚽️ 43 goals
🅰️ 15 assists pic.twitter.com/6mXvR5V8cX
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 18, 2024

40 goals in 97 appearances for the Sky Blues caught the attention of Portuguese side Sporting CP, who agreed a deal to sign the striker for a club record €20 million.

The 27-year old would take his game to another level following the switch to Portugal.

Gyokeres scored 97 goals in 102 appearances across two seasons, including an impressive hat-trick against Manchester City in the UEFA Champions League - winning two Primeria Liga titles in the process.

Leandro Trossard

Leandro Trossard’s time in Brighton will be remembered fondly. The Belgium international scored 25 appearances in 122 appearances for the club, coinciding with the Seagulls upwards trajectory.

An attacker with the ability to play through the middle or down the left-hand side, Trossard completed a move to Arsenal in January 2023 for £20 million with a further £7 million in add-ons, following issues with manager Roberto De Zerbi.