Kaoru Mitoma is unlikely to play again for Brighton in the 2023-24 season after being ruled out with a back injury.
Roberto De Zerbi revealed the news in his press conference ahead of the Albion’s FA Cup fifth round tie away at Wolves, saying: “It’s the back injury which kept him out against Everton. It’s an important problem. I think two or three months, finished the season.”
Mitoma missed the tangle with the Toffees after playing 76 minutes of Sheffield United 0-5 Brighton the previous week.
He was on the end of particularly rough treatment at Bramall Lane as the Blades struggled to cope with either of the Seagulls’ flying wingers.
De Zerbi has already confirmed that the back injury is unrelated to the terrible tackle Mason Holgate put in on Kaoru Mitoma to earn a 13th minute red card.
Whilst Sheffield United captain Anel Ahmedhodzic tried to claim – somewhat incredibly – that Holgate’s challenge was not worthy of a sending off, Jamie Redknapp labelled it scandalous.
“No no no, Mitoma suffered something with his back before the Sheffield game. The player of Sheffield has no responsibility for the injury of Kaoru,” De Zerbi said when asked about the injury prior to Mitoma missing the Everton game.
Less than a week on and that comment makes for uncomfortable reading. If Mitoma had back issues ahead of the trip to Bramall Lane and Brighton opted to play him, are they to blame for exacerbating the situation?
Mitoma was making only his second Albion start since leaving Selhurst Park with his foot in a protective boot following the Albion’s 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace on December 21st.
He recovered sufficiently to come off the bench twice for Japan at the Asian Cup, playing 105 minutes in knockout round ties against Bahrain and Japan which went to extra time.
Upon his return from international duty, Mitoma was thrown straight back into Premier League action as Brighton ended a run of five matches played without any available wingers.
He was a lively presence on his return at Spurs before setting up two of the five goals scored against the Blades, getting Holgate sent off and coming close to earning Brighton a penalty when sent to the ground by a large barge in the back.
We now know that thrilling 90 minutes was the last time Albion fans will see Mitoma in the stripes this season… or possibly ever if a rumoured summer move to Barcelona takes place.
The news represents a huge blow to Brighton’s hopes of making history this season in the Premier League, FA Cup and Europa League.
How reliant the Albion are on their wingers was made clear when all of Mitoma, Simon Adingra, Solly March and Ansu Fati were unavailable at the same time.
Brighton failed to score in three consecutive Premier League matches, a barren run previously considered impossible when playing DeZerbiBall.
On the first occasion Mitoma and Adingra could be deployed in tandem again, the result with five goals plundered past Sheffield United.
Injury to Mitoma means the Seagulls navigating the final three months of the season with only Adingra and Fati as natural wide options.
Brighton will be cautious of overexerting Adingra following his AFCON heroics with Ivory Coast. Fati meanwhile was having his game time meticulously managed by De Zerbi even before a muscle problem picked up in the 3-2 win over Nottingham Forest in November, ruling him out for three months.
Julio Enciso and Facundo Buonanotte could be square peg in round hole options for the wide positions in a 4-2-3-1. More likely though is that De Zerbi will switch to a back three with wing backs.
Should Brighton go onto qualify for Europe again or go far in the two knockout competitions they remain in, then it will have to be considered a feat of managerial genius by De Zerbi.
The Albion have been beset by so many long term injures in 2023-24 that it is impossible to keep up.
Losing Mitoma at such a crucial time has to rank as one of the most problematic. Over to you, Mister De Zerbi.
