Konnichiwa! Brighton kick off the Fabian Hurzeler Era with two matches on their pre-season tour of Japan against J-League outfits Kashima Antlers and Tokyo Verdy.
31 Albion players have made the trip. Not on tour are those who represented their countries at Euro 2024 and the Copa America, the long-term injured and Mahmoud Dahoud. Which is quite telling over what the future holds for the German midfielder.
The Seagulls’ first ever visit to Japan was always going to be interesting for numerous reasons. How mad will the locals go for Kaoru Mitoma?
Which young players can make the most of a first team opportunity, as Jack Hinshelwood did in the United States a year ago?
Might the club be so inspired by Japanese cuisine as to add sushi to the Amex Stadium offerings next season alongside the £5.50 scotch egg?
Japan being the first opportunity to see the Albion play under Fabian Hurzeler doubles that intrigue. Here are three Brighton players worth keeping an eye on during the tour of Japan for various reasons.
Kaoru Mitoma
Mitoma is why the Albion have jetted off to the Land of the Rising Sun. The reception that greeted him when Brighton touched down in Tokyo was as ridiculous as we all hoped it would be.
Homemade banners. Ecstatic men and women on the verge of tears of joy, clutching Seagulls shirts with Mitoma 22 on the back.
The reaction of the Japanese public is not the only reason to watch Mitoma, however. The winger has not played a game since mid-February after a serious back injury ruled him out for the final three months of the 2023-24 campaign.
Back problems can be notoriously troublesome. It is the one part of the body which connects to everything else.
Complications can lead to other issues with leg muscles and core strength. Two important areas for a player like Mitoma, whose game relies on balance and speed.
There had been some doubt towards the end of last season over whether Mitoma would be fit enough to play for Brighton on the Japan tour.
The club though have posted videos of Mitoma in action since the players returned for pre-season. And he has already featured in a 3-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday, played behind closed doors at the training ground.
Mitoma therefore seems certain to play a part in Japan, giving Brighton fans their first opportunity to try and judge whether he looks the same player he was before the injury.
Jack Hinshelwood
As already mentioned, Hinshelwood emerged with his reputation seriously enhanced following the Summer Series in the US. Four months later and he established himself as a first team regular.
Hinshelwood showed versatility playing right back, left back and as a central midfielder. He contributed goals and assists on a semi-regular basis.
Roberto De Zerbi went so far as to say Hinshelwood was the son of Pascal Gross. Praise does not come much higher for a Brighton player.
Like Mitoma, Hinshelwood suffered an untimely season-ending injury in February. A stress fracture of the foot is much more straightforward to repair than a back, so there should be no concerns over long-term damage suffered by the teenager from that particular injury.
Instead, Hinshelwood is worth watching on the Japan tour to see how Brighton use him under Hurzeler. Will he be a wing back, presuming the new head coach sticks with his favoured 3-4-3 formation from St Pauli?
If so, on which side? Right would seem the more obvious choice, with only Tariq Lamptey having the skillset suited to what Hurzeler demands of his wing backs.
The left side in contrast has Valentin Barco, Pervis Estupinan and Solly March vying for a spot when the latter two return from injury.
Or will Hurzeler see Hinshelwood as a central midfield option? Hurzeler likes technically gifted, strong midfielders capable of contributing goals. Hinshelwood certainly fits two of those criteria. If he bulks up, he can fulfil the third.
Hinshelwood was one of the biggest success stories of the 2023-24 season. How Hurzeler opts to use his talents will be fascinating.
Carl Rushworth
Bart Verbruggen being ruled out for six weeks with injury has left Brighton with a bit of a dilemma when it comes to the goalkeeping department.
The Dutchman had seemed certain to start the campaign as Hurzeler’s number one. Jason Steele would provide capable back up on the bench.
And Carl Rushworth would head out on loan for one final season before returning to challenge for a starting spot at the Albion in 2025-26.
Those seemingly obvious plans are now in tatters. Verbruggen will miss the opening two games of the Premier League season at least.
Brighton could still send Rushworth on loan, start Steele against Everton and Manchester United and hope Verbruggen is back as planned by the end of August.
But if there end up being complications with Verbruggen’s return, Steele might end up playing four, five or six matches. Not ideal, especially when you consider how difficult the opening 10 fixtures of the Hurzeler Era are.
What happens on the Japan tour will offer some indication of what Brighton are thinking, in terms of how much game time Hurzeler affords Steele and Rushworth.
It also offers Rushworth a chance to stake his claim. If he impresses through pre-season, gets the nod against Everton and Manchester United and goes onto be flawless, he could feasibly usurp Verbruggen as number one.
