Brighton & Hove Albion has managed to remain competitive despite the absence of key players. However, the ongoing unavailability of Kaoru Mitoma, the club’s influential left-winger, has started to create challenges. Mitoma has missed his ninth consecutive league match, with the team’s latest encounter ending in a 1-1 draw against West Ham United. The match was salvaged by Georginio Rutter’s equaliser deep into stoppage time.
Under head coach Fabian Hurzeler, the squad has adapted in several ways to cope without Mitoma, who is recovering from an ankle injury. While the results have been relatively decent—four wins, three draws, and two losses—Brighton could have particularly used Mitoma’s elusive dribbling skills against a stubborn West Ham side. Since joining from Kawasaki Frontale in 2021 for £3 million, Mitoma has made a considerable impact, contributing 21 goals and 18 assists over 94 league appearances. This significance is clear, especially following the club’s rejection of a £61 million bid from Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr in January.
Despite these absences, Brighton currently sits in seventh place, an achievement that seems particularly remarkable given the sale of their main goalscorer Joao Pedro to Chelsea and the struggles of other key players like Carlos Baleba and Rutter, who has yet to reach the form he displayed in the previous season.
Mitoma last played during a 3-1 victory against Chelsea in September, and though he has recently returned to training, Hurzeler indicated that he experienced a minor setback before West Ham’s visit. To compensate for Mitoma’s absence, Hurzeler has deployed various strategies to maintain the team’s offensive potency. Yankuba Minteh has switched from the right to the left flank, while Paraguayan midfielder Diego Gomez has been instrumental on the left wing. Furthermore, Maxim De Cuyper, usually a left-back, has taken on a more attacking role, including a notable performance in a 2-0 win at Nottingham Forest where he scored the opening goal.
However, De Cuyper’s foray into attack has seen mixed results. Against West Ham, he put in some promising crosses but ultimately it was Rutter’s late goal that finally broke his scoring drought dating back to February, marking a significant moment for the player who had faced a barrage of criticism for not converting his many opportunities.
In contrast, Carlos Baleba has faced a dip in form after attracting interest from Manchester United during the summer. Hurzeler substituted him during the West Ham match, citing the need for greater creativity in the midfield. This decision has raised concerns about Baleba’s current level, as the coach noted his performances haven’t consistently matched expectations.
Another looming issue for Brighton is Baleba’s upcoming participation in the Africa Cup of Nations, which could further challenge the team’s depth. With crucial fixtures against Liverpool, Arsenal, and Manchester City on the horizon, the return of Mitoma from injury will be critical for Albion’s success in overcoming these obstacles. They aim to have him back in action soon, to not only lighten the load on his teammates but also to reinstate the spark he brings to the attack.
