Davy Propper was a relatively unknown name when he arrived at the Falmer Stadium but subsequently, he has become a key figure at the Seaside. Brighton & Hove Albion broke their transfer record to bring the player from PSV Eindhoven and the result has been quite positive so far.
The Seagulls paid in the region of £10m and the money spent on him has already started to reap dividends. The Dutch midfielder has been growing with each passing game and has been an inevitable part of the Brighton starting lineup.
His presence has been notable in the centre of the midfield and it is his drive in the midfield that controls the tempo of the team. Chris Hughton has been using him in his usual box to box role to make the most of him. He is also very fluid in operating from the no. 10 position but it’s very difficult to match his productivity and guile which can be ground out from this midfield position.
His combination with Pascal Gross has been the main resource for the Seagulls this season and the gaffer needs to keep them charging in every match. It was his creativity from the middle of the pitch that helped the team in earning their first win in the Premier League against a rigid West Bromwich Albion.
It would have been impossible to break the resilient Baggies defence and his partnership with Dale Stephens awarded them with three points. He is arguably best fitted for this box to box role and the gaffer knows it very well.
Hughton has showered praise on this combative midfielder. “Davy has made a big impact.
“He had a tough introduction. He wasn’t a player we bought early, so we didn’t have him for pre-season games, and his first game was against Manchester City when you know you are going to be very much up against it.
“From that game he’s developed really well as a player that can play in two or three positions in central midfield.”
Lot of work needs to be done at the Falmer Stadium and Hughton has a tough task to cut out as the Seagulls didn’t have the start what they should have had. A player like Propper needs to be handled with proper care.
Propper operated in a slightly advanced position against Arsenal and if needed Hughton can use him just behind the main striker to involve him more directly to the proceedings. His versatility and impact on the squad is immeasurable and Propper is slowly becoming Brighton’s biggest asset. Is he their MVP?
