At a glance
- Brighton distance covered data has highlighted Albion’s physical output this season
- Fabian Hürzeler has built a team identity around intensity, pressing and control
- The numbers say more about Brighton’s tactical demands than simple work rate
Brighton’s running numbers this season have offered another interesting insight into the identity Fabian Hürzeler is building at the Amex.
The Seagulls are still fighting for European football in the final weeks of the Premier League campaign. Fabian Hurzeler also just signed a new long-term contract with Brighton.
Tony Bloom even pointed out the team’s ‘resilience, intensity and control’ after the club confirmed the extension.
Likewise, new Premier League running data has added another layer to Bloom’s comments as the numbers back his claims.
Brighton Among Premier League’s Hardest-Running Teams
According to Opta, Brighton ranks third in the Premier League for total distance covered this season after 34 games played.
Only Leeds United and Arsenal are above the Seagulls, with Newcastle United and Burnley completing the top five.
Despite leading the running contest, only Brighton and Arsenal from the top five rank in the top half of the English top-flight.
Likewise, Albion are not a passive side, with the team being notable for their high press under Hurzeler. Naturally, that style asks players to cover much more ground than their counterparts.
Why Brighton’s Running Numbers Make Tactical Sense
Albion employs dynamic rotations with centre-backs stepping into the midfield and midfielders dropping deeper to create overloads in central areas.
This requires constant movement, especially with the full-backs switching roles based on the press. Hurzeler’s full-backs support wingers, overlap or invert depending on the situation.
Likewise, centre-back Jan Paul van Hecke leads Brighton for progressive carries with 160, while full-back Ferdi Kadioglu is second with 102.
Also, the Premier League’s own data backs up the midfield side of this pattern, with Pascal Gross covering 13.11 km against Manchester City and 13.09 km against Chelsea. Jack Hinshelwood, on the other hand, covered 12.84 km against Brentford.
READ MORE: Player Profile: Danny Welbeck – Read Brighton | Read Brighton
Brighton Succeeding in the Final Third
Nevertheless, running a lot does not actually mean controlling games. A team can cover huge distance because it presses well, but it can also cover huge distance because it keeps losing the ball.
However, the data suggests that the Seagulls aren’t a low-control team. They average around 53% posession and have scored 49 goals in the Premier League.
Hurzeler’s men stand sixth in the English top-flight for average possession. Regardless, Brighton has also conceded 42 goals from 47.93 xGA, with opponents still finding enough dangerous moments against them.
However, they ranked first in the Premier League for possession won in the final third with 5.1 recoveries per match, marking the success of the high press in the final third.
Likewise, if Brighton can keep the pressing success while reducing the dangerous moments they allow, their physical output could become one of the strongest foundations of Hurzler’s system.
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