Ibrahim Osman Pushes for Brighton Squad Place After Minteh Blow
Ibrahim Osman is pushing hard for a regular Brighton squad place, and Yankuba Minteh’s injury may just have cracked open the door. The Ghana winger caught the eye after replacing the stricken Minteh in Saturday’s 3-0 friendly win over Roma at the Amex, and head coach Fabian Hürzeler has left little doubt that he rates the forward as the Seagulls build towards the new campaign.
Osman looked sharp and direct once introduced, keen to run at his full-back and seemingly with the beating of him. Signed two-and-a-half years ago from Nordsjælland for £16 million, the Ghanaian is now in contention for a place as Albion prepare for a Premier League season and a UEFA Conference League play-off. With Minteh sidelined, the pathway to minutes on the flanks has suddenly widened.
What Hurzeler said about Ibrahim Osman
Speaking after the Roma game, Hürzeler grouped Osman with the players he most wants around his dressing room, insisting the winger’s attitude is exactly what the group needs.
These players are great for the locker room. They have like a great character side. They will always give everything for this badge, and I think that’s very important to understand.
The head coach, who told The Argus he wants to be transparent with his fringe players about their plans, now has a fresh selection call to weigh. Osman’s task is simple: keep impressing in pre-season and turn Minteh’s misfortune into his own opportunity.
