When Danny Welbeck left Brighton & Hove Albion for Chelsea in the summer, the narrative surrounding the Seagulls was that they would struggle to put the ball in the back of the net without their talisman.
In the opening seven matches of the 2026-27 season, Fabian Hurzeler’s side have proved that narrative could not be further from the truth.
They have scored 20 goals already, and have failed to score at least three goals in just two of their seven matches.
Perhaps what is most impressive, though, is where the goals are coming from. The Albion have 10 different goalscorers already this season.
Kostoulas is taking his chance
According to The Athletic, part of the reason Brighton were willing to let their top goalscorer depart was due to their ‘policy of providing a pathway for young talent from all over the world into first-team football in the Premier League’.
The article said: “Unfortunately for Welbeck, he exceeded expectations as a player, which left Brighton with a dilemma.
The value of their veteran forward is depreciating year by year. Meanwhile, opportunities for Charalampos Kostoulas, Stefanos Tzimas, and Georginio Rutter — players bought for a combined total of around £90million in recent transfer windows — were limited by the continuing presence of Welbeck.”
Regardless of the truth, Kostoulas has taken his opportunity with both hands. The teenager has scored three goals already this season, one in each of the three competitions Brighton have played in so far (Conference League, Premier League and Carabao Cup).
All three have been cultured finishes too. Against Tromso in the Conference League, a loose ball on the edge of the area was struck first-time into the bottom corner by the Greek teenager to give his side the lead.
Against Manchester United in the Carabao Cup, Kostoulas halved the deficit on the stroke of half-time to kickstart Brighton’s epic comeback. It was another first-time finish, this time from a much tighter angle to beat Karl Darlow.
His best goal came in the Premier League against Coventry. The Greek forward flicked the ball over his marker before heading it down into his own path and drilling it past Carl Rushworth. It was another glimpse of just how much potential is waiting to be unlocked.
Brighton bet big on Kostoulas, paying £30 million for his services. If he continues at this current rate, it could prove to be another shrewd piece of business from Tony Bloom & Co.
The rest of the front five are easing the load
Despite Kostoulas’ impressive start, he’s scored just 15% of Brighton’s goals so far this season. 10 goals have come from the rest of Brighton’s attacking players.
On paper, Brighton shape up in a 4-3-3. However, in possession, they appear to operate in more of a 2-3-5.
The front five is used to overload a typical backline, made up of four players. The two advanced midfielders, currently Malick Yalcouye and Pascal Gross, join the front three to create a five-versus-four advantage.
It’s an approach that has proved very successful so far.
Both Maxim De Cuyper and Gross have scored three goals each across all competitions, matching Kostoulas’ tally. Plus, Jack Hinshelwood and Yalcouye have scored two each.
Yasin Ayari’s goal against Coventry is excluded from the count as he is the midfielder who remains deep and protects the two central defenders.
The remaining six goals have come from opposition own goals and Brighton’s back line.
Defenders are contributing too
Last season, across all competitions, Brighton’s defenders scored 11 goals, three of which came from former defender Jan Paul van Hecke.
The count includes De Cuyper, who was used mostly as a left-back last season before moving to the wing this campaign.
Brighton have already scored four goals from defenders this season, all from different players.
Olivier Boscagli and Mats Wieffer got off the mark in the 4-0 win over Tromso, Vuskovic earned Brighton a point against Leeds with his headed goal, and Lewis Dunk scored the best goal of his career in the 5-0 victory against Coventry.
Those four goals served as another reminder that goals can come from anywhere under Hurzeler
Welbeck replacement questions answered
There were big question marks surrounding Brighton ahead of the new season, but those questions have been emphatically answered.
Only time will tell is Hurzeler’s aggressive attacking approach is sustainable, but thus far, it’s been successful.
Next up, the Albion face their toughest test yet. They host Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal, so it will be very interesting to see how the tactics work against the Premier League champions.
The tactics – watch below
Written by Isabelle Martin
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