Brighton’s transfer business is well underway, having made seven signings already this window. But the real question is with three of them for the u23’s squad, do The Seagulls have one eye on the future.
The Albion have already added Josh Kerr, Mathias Normann and Steven Alzate to their U23 ranks and the future looks promising in terms of players breaking into the first team squad. Below we take a look at the three players who could break into the senior team in the next couple of years if they continue to impress for the U23’s.
Robert Sanchez:
The 19-year-old goalkeeper has made quite the impression since he signed his first professional contract in 2015. In the last two years, the Spanish keeper has become the U23’s first choice in between the sticks. Sanchez started his youth career in Levante’s youth academy before moving to The Seagulls in 2015. He was in impressive form last season for the U23’s in their 2016/17 Premier League 2, Division 2 season. He also went out with the senior squad on their pre-season tour to Austria this year.
If Sanchez has another good season I can not see why he could not force his way into contention for the senior squad, as he has the potential to be a quality keeper.
Jayson Molumby:
The 17-year-old Irish midfielder has certainly made big strides in Brighton youth ranks already. The midfielder started his youth career at Irish club Railway Athletic. He joined The Seagulls in 2015 and since then has progressed from their u18’s to their u23 squad at the age of just 17.
Molumby also has appeared internationally for the Republic Of Ireland’s U16’s and U19’s, where he has made 11 appearances scoring the one goal. He has also captained the Republic of Ireland’s U16’s and won FA Ireland’s U16 international player of the year award. Molumby has also appeared for Brighton’s senior squad in pre-season friendlies including this season where he has featured against Southend United.
Josh Kerr:
Kerr signed on a free transfer from Celtic this summer. The 19-year-old Scottish defender started his youth career at Hamilton in their U17’s. In the 2013/14 season, he joined Celtic and played for their U17’s and then progressed into their U20’s.
The 2015/16 season saw Kerr spend the first half of the season on loan at East Kilbride FC before then returning to Celtic to continue his development in their U20’s. Kerr then rejected a new contract at Celtic before signing for The Seagulls this summer in which he will play for their U23’s but judging from his progress so far in just a handful of years, I don’t think it will be long before he breaks into the senior squad.
This is because of the fact he has experience of playing in the UEFA youth league with Celtic where he came up against Barcelona and Manchester City youth. The 19-year-old is a versatile player as he can play across the whole of the defence and looks to be a good addition to The Albion ranks.
One thing is for sure, the future looks bright for Brighton with a number of great prospects in their youth academy that are more of capable of breaking into their senior squad over the next few years.
