The rich taste of competitiveness in Championship has burst to life this season once again as two heavyweights in the form of Newcastle United and Brighton & Hove Albion are going toe-to-toe to clinch English football’s second tier’s silverware. The top two spots on the league table ensure an automatic qualification to the Premier League and these two outfits well and truly deserve to get promoted after being handsomely consistent this season.
Although the Geordies might be familiar with the animosity which Premier League has on offer, the Seagulls would be handed a promotion after quite a few years (if the ongoing trend doesn’t cease to exist). Brighton & Hove Albion would be in a dire need to keep the team’s cohesiveness intact to impose a stronghold next season and apparently, they have done a spectacular job by extending their veteran skipper’s contract by a year.
Bruno has been an irreplaceable element in the right-back slot under the tactical nous of manager Chris Hughton. Having joined Brighton & Hove Albion in 2012 from Valencia, he has mustered five fruitful seasons with the south coast club (including this campaign) and has accumulated more than 170 appearances during this span of time.
Thoroughly committed and professional, Bruno is an exemplary leader on and off the pitch and his consistency has made him one of the most valued commodities in the Championship.
The Spaniard has been undergoing a productive season so far, as he has made 33 appearances so far in which he has created 25 chances, won 25 tackles with a success rate of 37%, made 100 clearances, 10 blocks and 62 interceptions to maintain his high standards.
His contract, tying him to the Falmer Stadium was set to expire in the summer and without any shadow of a doubt, Hughton has made a shrewd decision by making him sign a new contract which would keep the talismanic defender at Brighton & Hove Albion until the summer of 2018.
The 36-year-old is a very vocal player who commands the defensive line meticulously. What is most intriguing to witness in him is the manner in which he manages to remain calm even in adverse situations, which is why he is a trusted leader at the back.
Moreover, he can ply his trade anywhere in the backline, never refrains from making bold decisions in tough circumstances, has the required experience and is technically gifted as well. He has indeed done a decent job for the Seagulls and should be a handy commodity next season irrespective of the whether they get promoted or not.
Statistics Credits: Squawka.
