Three of Brighton & Hove Albion’s key players penned four and five-year deals at the club. The players in question are centre-halves, Lewis Dunk and Shane Duffy. In addition to this is a fan favourite, Anthony Knockaert.
Lewis Dunk:
Dunk signed a new five-year deal which will run until June 2022. The Brighton-born centre half came through Brighton’s youth ranks in 2010. Since then he has established himself as a first choice option for Chris Hughton in the heart of the defence. Since making his debut in 2010 in League One against MK Dons, the 25-year-old has made 170 appearances and scored ten goals. Dunk has also been made vice captain to Bruno and has captained The Seagulls on a number of occasions over the last couple of years when the Spaniard has not played.
The 25-year-old centre half was a key part of Albion’s promotion winning squad having made 43 appearances out of a possible 46. The new contract is Dunk third new deal in the last three years which tells you how much they value him. In my opinion, Dunk is up there with some of the best centre-halves Brighton have produced and there is no reason if he has a good season in the Premier League this season, why he could not stake a claim for an England call-up.
Shane Duffy:
Duffy put pen to paper on a new four-year deal which runs till 2021. The Irish centre-half signed for Brighton last summer for a club-record-fee of £4 million pounds. Since joining The Seagulls, Duffy has made 32 appearances and scored twice. Duffy was a key part of Albion’s promotion-winning campaign forging a great partnership at centre-half with Dunk and was part of one of the best defences in the Championship last season.
His form for Brighton has also seen Duffy become a regular face in the Republic of Ireland setup. In my opinion, Duffy has been a bargain for £4 million and thoroughly deserves his new contract as he is a commanding and no nonsense centre-half and has become a real fans favourite at the club.
Anthony Knockaert:
Knockaert signed a new five-year deal at the club which will run until June 2022. Knockaert joined Brighton in January 2016 on a three-year deal from Standard Liege. Since joining in 2016, Knockaert has made 57 appearances and scored 20 goals. Knockaert was a major factor in Brighton’s promotion-winning season. Knockaert made 41 appearances, scoring 15 goals and also getting a handful of assists.
His form last year saw him win the Championship player of the year and he was also named in the Championship team of the season. In my opinion, Knockaert is one of Albion’s key players this season in the Premier League as if he can continue to show the form he did last season he will cause Premier League defences a number of problems.
