The first of our promoted teams and the first of the teams who will be playing in the Premier League for the first time this season. Brighton & Hove Albion have been flirting with promotion for the last few seasons but last year it was confirmed. Many Draft Fantasy managers won’t know too much about the squad but that’s what these pieces are for!

Goalkeepers

Last season, David Stockdale was in amazing form, racking up 20 clean sheets but he’s since decided to stay in the Championship and has moved to Birmingham City, which brings us to the transfer of Mathew Ryan. Ryan is the Australian national team’s number 1 and has clearly been brought in from Valencia to be Brighton’s number 1 for the Premier League campaign. Unproven in England and going straight in at the deep end of a newly promoted team in the Premier League doesn’t scream early pick to me when creating your shortlists.

For those of you that are in slightly bigger person leagues, Ryan could provide you with a good suitable back up option. He’ll most likely still be an option in the much later rounds of your draft.

Defenders

I mentioned the 20 clean sheets from David Stockdale but it would be remiss of me to ignore the defences role in that. Brighton finished last season with the most clean sheets in the Championship. Mainstays in the defence are Brighton’s captain Bruno as well as Lewis Dunk and Shane Duffy. Dunk and Duffy both bagged themselves a couple of goals last season as well. Once it comes to the draft, either of these 3 could become very astute pick-ups.

Just look at Charlie Daniels of Bournemouth, Gareth McAuley of West Brom or Ben Gibson of Middlesbrough from last season for inspiration when looking at these guys to pick up. None of these guys were picked up in any early rounds but were some of the highest scoring defenders in the game last season. Sometimes it pays to have lower league defenders.

Midfielders

The midfield for Brighton does offer us a potential gem of a player going into this season, Anthony Knockaert. 15 goals and 8 assists to his name last season, Knockaert was also named the Championship’s player of the year for last season. I foresee a draft pick for round 8 or 9 for Knockaert, he really could be this season’s surprise package. Brighton aren’t a one-man midfield though, Steve Sidwell provides valuable experience. If defensive midfielders end up earning more points in your league this coming season then he could also be worth a thought. Dale Stephens was quite a regular last season and would be looking to prove his worth in the premier league, as to would Jamie Murphy, the young lad from Scotland has worked his way to the Premier League via League One and then the Championship.

Honestly though, outside of Knockaert, it’s a struggle to really see Brighton’s midfield offering you any players worth drafting but the summer is still young and I’m sure plenty of transfer business is still to come from Brighton.

Forwards

Glenn Murray was Brighton and Hove Albion’s top scorer last season with 23 goals in 39 appearances but I would also say that Murray is very much a Championship striker, his spells in the Premier League with Palace and Bournemouth haven’t offered anything in terms of goals or assists, if you’re in need of a 3rd striker, then he could be worth the pick-up but no more than that.

Tomer Hemed and Sam Baldock however could provide breakout seasons. Both grabbed 11 goals each in the Championship last season and both seem to be looking forward to the challenge that the Premier League will offer them. Murray may have been the top scorer but Hemed and Baldock should be thought of first when it comes to picking up a 3rd and final striker.

Wildcard

Tough one to decide this, a promoted team is essentially a whole squad of wildcards but I would say that Dale Stephens could be worth a look. Now a regular in the Brighton team, he offers some solid linking up play but last season he only had 2 goals and 2 assists to show for it. Stephens is still only 28 and has played in every top-flight league bar the Premier League, so maybe he can adapt as well to the Premier League as he has done all others that he has played in.

Conclusion

Brighton went on an 18-match unbeaten run at the start of last season but still only registered the 5th best attack in the entire league. Chris Hughton has built a resolute defence here which could lead to valuable points being gained from Ryan (in goal), Dunk or Duffy.  The strike force of Murray, Hemed & Baldock could provide valuable 3rd choice strikers but it’s Knockaert that is the standout here and I would say that if he’s still available at the latter rounds of your draft then take the chance.