Brighton's 2022-23 Premier League squad, player by player

The name is Steele. As in Nerves Of. Fans’ heart-rates can handle his short passing now (can’t they?) but he showed he can mix it up with a brilliant through ball for Mitoma against Brentford. Also has to be very good at the more traditional goalkeeping basics, of course, and has been one of the stories of the season.

Robert Sanchez (23, 0, 0)

Showed his athleticism and shot-stopping ability on occasions, notably to save a point on De Zerbi’s debut at Anfield. Has good longer distribution but his shorter game did not meet requirements.

Joel Veltman (25+6, 1, 1)

Another season of solid, no-nonsense defensive performances and his annual goal, this time chested in from a corner against West Ham.

Lewis Dunk (36, 1, 0)

Just when you thought you knew what you were getting with a long-serving pro, he added another side to his game (or showed one which was always there) as the ‘quarter-back’ spotting and playing the right short passes while keeping composure and awareness.

Adam Webster (23+4, 0, 0)

Plenty of reminders of what he can do defensively and carrying the ball but it was a stop-start season from the World Cup break onwards, when he never made more than three consecutive starts.

Levi Colwill (13+4, 0, 2)

Will he, won’t he? RDZ would love to keep the on-loan defender and has given indications that could happen. Looked mature beyond his years and offers the option of switching Dunk to the right of central defence.

Pervis Estupinan (31+4, 1, 5)

Replaced the departed £60 million player of the season and was just as good, if not an upgrade. Can cover enormous distances quickly and offered a great attacking outlet, often in partnership with Mitoma.

Moises Caicedo (34+3, 1, 1)

An immense season from day one which attracted interest from, notably Arsenal. Albion were brave enough to take him out of the firing line at that point and still beat Liverpool in his absence and Caicedo’s seamless return underlined a belief that he might not have actually been that desperate to leave in the first place. Produced his best game on the biggest stage - Wembley.

Alexis Mac Allister (31+4, 10, 2)

A magnificent, life-changing season for club and country. Started the campaign operating deeper in midfield after Bissouma’s exit and took to it to great effect. With his national team coaches suitably impressed, he became a key man for Argentina just in time to help power them to a hugely dramatic World Cup triumph. Standards barely dropped once he returned from that physical and emotional high and he continued to be a key man in driving his side forward and working the ball from congested areas into space. Don’t downplay his goal tally just because it includes penalties. We have seen plenty of spot kicks missed in recent years and he was flawless, even under extreme pressure. Mac Allister was my own pick for player of the season.

Billy Gilmour (7+7, 0, 1)

Had to wait a very long time to make an impact but, just when it seemed it wasn’t going to happen for him, a fine display against Wolves kick-started a strong end to the campaign.

Pascal Gross (37, 9, 8)

Started the season in brilliant style with two first-half goals at Old Trafford. It is amazing how often he is described as under-rated even after six seasons with Albion. Everyone here knows how well his technical skills and football intelligence have helped him fit into a range of systems and roles for three different coaches. Has now scored 26 Prem goals and has looked angry after pretty much all of them!

Adam Lallana (12+4, 2, 1)

Often played a long way forward – under RDZ of course but also led the press from the front on the first day at Old Trafford - and actually scored from about six inches at Middlesbrough. His style of short, sharp passing and movement is ideal for the Italian and the pity was we did not see more of him.

Solly March (31+2, 7, 7)

Always inventive and highly-committed but his season really took off once his penalty at Charlton had come back to earth. All eight of his goals came after Christmas and he was often the first to light an attacking fire. Cruelly saw his season ended by injury, not for the first time.

Kaoru Mitoma (24+9, 7, 5)

Exceeded all expectations in the way he adapted from the Belgian league. Seen as an impact sub for both club and country, he changed De Zerbi’s mind on that in the first few minutes of his first start versus Chelsea (Japan followed suit eventually) and could barely be kept off the pitch from that point. Famed for his dribbling skills but was also a very useful threat in the air - still with potential to improve his end product.

Danny Welbeck (21+10, 6, 3)

More than a centre-forward as he dropped into deeper or wider areas and helped get others playing. Was halted by injury for a while but four of his goals came in April, including three far post headers.

Evan Ferguson (10+9, 6, 2)

Started the season in the under-21s, did well in a first team outing at Forest Green and made a huge impact from New Year’s Eve onwards. A powerful and mature presence up front who can also get involved in team play. Produced some fine finishes but with the feel there is a lot to come.

Leandro Trossard (16, 7, 2)

Was arguably Albion’s player of the season before the World Cup, operating to the left of centre. Stunned Anfield with a hat-trick but then seemed to lose interest, not helped by the fact he was playing (through necessity) out of position down the middle. By the time he left, it felt like the right move for everyone with Albion having options to replace him.

Julio Enciso (7+13, 4, 2)

It felt like it took a long time for him to adapt – but actually it wasn’t that long at all for a teenager who has crossed the world and has the scrutiny of his home nation on his every triumph and disappointment. Looked more robust from early April and that has allowed him to emerge as one of the most exciting young talents in the Prem - again, with huge scope to progress.

Deniz Undav (6+16, 5, 0)

Hopes were high for the goal-getter from USG but it took a long while for him to prove he was sharp and fit enough for Prem. Won fans over with his honesty and determination to succeed, stuck at it and, to all round delight, started to find the target late in the campaign.

Others

The massive potential Tariq Lamptey showed in his early times at the club has not been fulfilled, partly due to injuries, but he offered late spark on occasion.

Enock Mwepu’s career was ended in desperately sad circumstances just when his season seemed to have lift-off against Leicester. Was part of a strong finish to the win at Old Trafford. Jeremy Sarmiento was hindered by injury but looked bright in the win at Everton and there are some scintillating skills there to be carefully channelled.

Jan Paul van Hecke had his finest hour-and-a-half in the late-season battle with Erling Haaland while Facundo Buonanotte also had his best game when Manchester City visited and, like Yasin Ayari, will look to really break out next season.

Stats in brackets (appearances, goals, assists) are for Premier League games only - and for Albion only).