Brighton & Hove Albion made headlines this summer as they became the second-highest spenders in world football, behind only Chelsea. The club spent almost £200 million in the transfer window and brought in nine new signings. This massive investment resulted in Brighton having the biggest net spend globally, with £139 million more than any other Premier League club.
Owner-chairman Tony Bloom, who has invested over £400 million in the club through interest-free loans, explained the strategy behind their spending. Bloom stated that they knew there would be opportunities in the transfer window and that circumstances allowed them to make significant changes to the squad. The profit and sustainability rules (PSR) of other clubs, as well as the financial constraints faced by bigger clubs on the continent, made certain players available to Brighton that would not have been in the past. Bloom also acknowledged that Brighton had lost some key players in previous windows and had invested heavily in young talent.
Despite Brighton’s long-term vision of consistently finishing in the top 10 of the Premier League, Bloom believes that this season they have a great chance of qualifying for Europe. Last season, Brighton had an amazing run in the Europa League, reaching the last 16. With seven of their competitors playing in a revamped European competition, Brighton sees this as an opportunity to compete at the top end of the table.
Bloom also discussed the impact of profits over the past two seasons, which have given the club a solid financial foundation. He emphasized that although this particular transfer window resulted in more money going out than coming in, the net ins and outs over a longer period are in Brighton’s favor.
Regarding the future changes to PSR, Bloom expressed support for the proposed real-time rules. He believes that this new approach will reduce the number of loopholes clubs can exploit and ensure that Premier League club owners stay within the rules.
Bloom refrained from commenting extensively on Manchester City’s arbitration case with the Premier League about Associated Party Transactions rules, as the case is ongoing. He did mention that while legal, such cases are not great for the reputation of the Premier League, and the outcome will have implications for the league as a whole.
Turning to Brighton’s new head coach, Fabian Hurzeler, Bloom expressed surprise at how quickly and well he has settled into the role. Hurzeler, who previously managed St Pauli in the second division of the Bundesliga, has made an exceptional progression to coaching in the Premier League. Bloom is excited about what Hurzeler can achieve not only in the current season but also in the future.
Bloom revealed that he has regular conversations with Hurzeler, particularly during the transfer window, to ensure they are aligned on the style of players needed. While Hurzeler is involved in the latter stages of signing players and explaining their role, the recruitment process is primarily driven by the club’s data analysis, recruitment team, and scouting.
Comparing the dynamics between Hurzeler and his predecessor, Roberto De Zerbi, Bloom noted that Hurzeler has embraced the club’s philosophy more wholeheartedly. The club decides on potential signings in collaboration with the head coach, and non-alignment between the two would not lead to long-term success.
Looking ahead, Bloom expressed confidence that the club has great people working across all areas and that his successor will inherit a strong and stable club with a loyal fanbase. He envisions himself remaining at Brighton for many years to come.
Overall, Brighton’s significant investment in the transfer window and the strategy behind it demonstrate the club’s ambition to compete at the top end of the Premier League. With a mix of experienced signings and young talent, Brighton aims to secure a European qualification spot this season while maintaining their long-term goal of consistently finishing in the top 10.