Brighton & Hove Albion supporters have identified five World Cup players they believe could strengthen Fabian Hürzeler’s squad.
Ayase Ueda, Marcus Rashford, Jonathan David, Gilberto Mora and Folarin Balogun were all suggested when fans were asked to scout possible Albion targets during the tournament.
The responses, published by the BBC’s Brighton fan section, largely focused on one clear concern: Brighton need more goals before returning to European competition.
Albion leaned heavily on Danny Welbeck last season, while injuries restricted Stefanos Tzimas. Supporters have therefore used the World Cup to assess possible successors and competition for the 34-year-old.
Ueda and Balogun fit Brighton’s striker need
Japan international Ueda was one of the most realistic suggestions.
The striker enters the discussion after a prolific club season in the Netherlands. His movement, pressing and finishing could suit the demands Hürzeler places on his centre-forward.
Ueda would also appear closer to Brighton’s normal recruitment range than some of the other names raised by supporters.
Balogun presents another interesting option. The former Arsenal striker understands English football but has developed through spells in France and the United States national team.
His pace would give Brighton a different threat to Welbeck. Balogun can attack space behind a defence, stretch the pitch and operate across the front line.
However, Brighton would need to assess his likely fee and recent injury record. European football creates room for another established striker, but Albion cannot afford another forward who spends long periods unavailable.
Read Brighton previously examined why Hürzeler needs another reliable goalscorer. Welbeck scored 13 league goals last season, while no other Albion player managed more than five.
Ueda and Balogun address that weakness more directly than any of the other supporter suggestions.
Rashford would require a change in Brighton’s approach
Rashford is the most ambitious name on the list.
The England forward would bring Premier League experience, pace and the ability to play from the left or through the middle. A regular role at the Amex could also offer him the stability needed to rebuild his confidence.
There are clear obstacles. His wages and likely transfer cost would sit outside Brighton’s usual structure, while Hürzeler already has Kaoru Mitoma and Yankuba Minteh as established wide options.
Brighton would only be likely to explore such a move if the financial terms became unusually favourable or if one of their current attackers departed.
The club’s latest transfer-window overview shows how much money has already been committed to the defensive rebuild. Luka Vušković’s arrival alone could cost more than £50m.
Rashford may appeal from a football perspective, but the finances make him the least Brighton-like suggestion.
David and Mora offer contrasting opportunities
David would give Hürzeler another proven senior forward capable of playing centrally or alongside a striker.
The Canada international’s movement and combination play could fit Brighton’s possession-based approach. As with Rashford, his salary expectations and interest from larger European clubs would influence whether a move was realistic.
Mora represents the opposite end of the recruitment spectrum.
The 17-year-old Mexico midfielder would be a longer-term investment rather than an immediate answer to Brighton’s goalscoring problem. His technical ability and composure have understandably caught the attention of supporters.
Brighton have built their reputation by identifying young talent before the richest clubs act. Alexis Mac Allister and Moisés Caicedo remain the clearest examples of that model.
Competition for Mora would be fierce, but his profile aligns more naturally with Albion’s strategy than a move for Rashford.
Ueda and Balogun provide the clearest answers to the immediate striker issue. Mora offers the most familiar Brighton-style investment, while David and Rashford would require the club to win expensive recruitment battles.
