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Sussex

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  1. Should Brighton keep Milner?published at 11:05 14 May

    Alex Fletcher
    BBC Sport journalist

    James MilnerImage source, Getty Images

    This season has been far from ideal for James Milner.

    It might have started with him becoming the first player to play in 23 Premier League seasons - when he took to the field on the opening day against Everton - but two weeks later it would end prematurely.

    A hamstring injury in Brighton's draw against Arsenal ruled him out for the rest of the campaign.

    Despite his absence, it's being reported that he is in talks with the club over g a new deal.

    Milner will turn 40 in January, but can he play a part for Brighton going forward?

    He ed the Seagulls in the summer of 2023, after eight trophy-laden years at Liverpool.

    According to Opta, since his arrival he has started just 14 Premier League games and played just 950 minutes.

    But if you take out his injury-hit season this year, there is no evidence that Milner is slowing down.

    Last season he averaged 52 minutes per appearance - his highest since 2018-19 - as he started 11 Premier League games for Brighton.

    During the second half of his spell at Liverpool he was limited to mainly substitute appearances, and while he played more minutes in each of his seasons, he started just 27 league matches in his final three years at the club.

    And as Brighton push to secure European football for next season, Milner could play an important role both on and off the pitch should he sign a new deal.

    Having won the Champions League in 2019, he has played in three European finals and been on the bench in another.

    The former England international can also play in a variety of positions and his versatility is a potential asset for Fabian Hurzeler.

    What do you think?

    Do you want James Milner to stay at Brighton?

    Send us your thoughts

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  2. 🎧 Hear from Hinshelwood, Gruda and Websterpublished at 08:06 14 May

    Albion Unlimited podcast graphic

    The latest episode of BBC Radio Sussex's Albion Unlimited podcast has landed.

    Seagulls trio Jack Hinshelwood, Adam Webster and Brajan Gruda all feature on this week's edition and discuss the race for a European spot.

    Argus journalist Brian Owen also s to preview Monday's fixture against champions Liverpool.

    Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

    Listen on BBC Sounds banner
  3. 'A glimpse' of a plan 'bearing fruit'published at 12:14 13 May

    Scott McCarthy
    Fan writer

    Brighton fan's voice banner
    Brighton players celebrating against WolvesImage source, Getty Images

    When Brighton embarked on their much-talked about £193m summer spending spree, it was with one eye on the future as much as the here-and-now.

    Nine new gs arrived at the Amex, the oldest of whom were Mats Wieffer and Ferdi Kadioglu aged 24.

    If we accept that most players peak somewhere around the age of 28, it will be in the 2028-29 season that the summer 2024 additions start to hit their prime.

    Having a young, inexperienced squad (and manager - it hasn't been mentioned much that Fabian Hurzeler is only 32) explains why the Albion have been so wildly inconsistent.

    Yet despite the inconsistency, Brighton are still in the race for European football with two matches left to play. It's a scenario almost every Albion fan would have taken nine months ago at the beginning of what many felt was going to be a transitional season.

    The hope will be that last year's gs will push Brighton on further in 2025-26, having adapted to life in the Premier League and with 12 months experience in England under their belts.

    Against Wolves on Saturday, we got a glimpse of that plan bearing fruit. Wieffer and Brajan Gruda have both struggled since their £25m moves from Feyenoord and Mainz respectively.

    But the pair are finishing the campaign strongly, suggesting they can become key players next season.

    Wieffer won the Albion penalty at Molineux - converted by Danny Welbeck - and then started the counter attack which led to Gruda opening his for the club. Wieffer now has three assists in his past four appearances since being given a run in the side at right back.

    Gruda's strike meanwhile comes off the back of setting up the 89th and 93rd minute goals which turned a potential 2-1 defeat by West Ham into a last-gasp Brighton victory.

    They say patience is a virtue and the Albion have more of it than almost any other Premier League club. It is a quality that can benefit Brighton over the coming years.

    Find more from Scott McCarthy at We Are Brighton, external

  4. 'A good milestone to have' - Welbeck finally hits 10 goals in a seasonpublished at 16:06 12 May

    Harry Poole
    BBC Sport journalist

    Welbeck in action for Brighton.Image source, Getty Images

    For the first time in his career, the 34-year-old striker hit double figures for Premier League goals in a single season with his penalty in Saturday's 2-0 win at Wolves.

    Shining for Brighton in the twilight of his career, Welbeck's latest contribution helped ensure the Seagulls remain firmly in the fight to secure European football with just two games remaining.

    "It is a good milestone to have - and I feel like it could have been more," said Welbeck, who scored on his Premier League debut for Manchester United as a 17-year-old in November 2008.

    "I'm looking forward to improving. We have two more games left and hopefully I'll get some more [goals]."

    Much of the former Manchester United, Arsenal and Watford player's career has been disrupted by persistent injury issues, at least prior to his arrival on the south coast.

    But he has now made as many as 29 appearances in three consecutive Premier League seasons for the first time in his career, helping him to at last score 10 goals in a campaign.

    He is one goal away from matching his most productive season across all competitions, scoring 12 times for Manchester United in 2011-12.

    Graph detailing Welbeck's output over the years

    Each of the former England international's past nine goals in the competition have either put his side ahead (seven) or drawn them level (two).

    They are vital interventions which have helped Brighton remain in the race for a lucrative European place.

    Boss Fabian Hurzeler hopes that Welbeck, who will turn 35 in November, will still continue to deliver at the top level.

    "I hope [he can carry on]," Hurzeler said. "He has to continue how he behaves at the moment.

    "He is very professional and I am convinced that he can carry on for a long time."

    Read more over here

  5. Wolves 0-2 Brighton - the fans' verdictpublished at 12:06 12 May

    Your views banner
    Danny Welbeck scores penImage source, Getty Images

    We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Wolves and Brighton.

    Here are some of your comments:

    Wolves fans

    Rhys: Not a bad performance by Wolves. Thought we played all right but Brighton punished us for the mistakes we made. Matheus Cunha can leave now. He cost us a goal and he got booked. We just need to get these two games out of the way.

    Mike: We were unable to cope with Brighton's press and made lots of unforced errors. We lacked width, particularly on the right wing . Some key players showed insufficient commitment to keep the ball.

    Stefan: We lacked that killer punch. Strange game where we should have scored at least one goal, but could have conceded a couple more, particularly with defenders trying to play two-touch football to clear the ball instead of getting rid of it upfield. Still some promising stuff coming out of the squad with anticipation for a better outcome next season.

    Matthew: Awful performance after the first 15 minutes. Players already on the beach, clearly. Worst Cunha display in ages too.

    Brighton fans

    David: Excellent all-round team performance. Have we missed Joao Pedro? Past three game without him, seven points. Previous three with him, one point. Well done Danny Welbeck from the spot.

    Mick: For the second game running, I don't think we were the better team on the day, but we managed this game better. Some notable performances from Mats Wieffer, Pervis Estupinan and player of the year Jan Paul van Hecke. The manager won the tactical battle and individual players snuffed out the threat from Wolves' danger men. With Pedro back next week we have a chance of taking the final European place.

    Fran: Good team performance, with substitutions again made the difference. The players are starting to show what they can do even if it is coming to the end of the season so things looks good for the future. Just concentrate on the next two games and if we get Europe fine. If not, we have still had a good season.

    Sean: Now we have some defenders back fit, we are looking more solid at the back. It was great to keep a clean sheet. Some solid performances all over the pitch, I think eighth may be just out of reach with having to play Liverpool next, but if we can keep the core squad and manager, finishing in the top five could be a reality next season.

  6. 'We score with 11 and we defend with 11' - Verbruggenpublished at 11:18 12 May

    Bart VerbruggenImage source, Getty Images

    Bart Verbruggen praised Brighton's teamwork in their impressive victory over Wolves.

    The goalkeeper told BBC Radio Sussex: "It is massive for us. We know where we are in the table and what part of the season we are in so every point is important.

    "We are trying to force each other to start quick and stay on the front foot. I still think we can improve and do things better but at this stage it is just about getting points.

    "We score with 11 and we defend with 11 and that is a big strength of this team. If you see how much effort attacking players put into defending, reacting when we lose the ball and transitions, then it is a massive reason we kept a clean sheet.

    "We have to focus on ourselves and try to win every game. But first it is about winning in every training session."

    Listen to the full interview on BBC Sounds