Brighton have plenty of options to replace Tottenham bound star

Bissouma has been a significant figure for Albion since signing for the club in 2018. Breaking into the midfield as one of the best in his position in the Premier League, it is safe to say Bissouma has significantly improved, particularly under Graham Potter. So, where does that leave Brighton?

Albion’s transfer blueprint has been described as a ‘well-oiled machine’; one which keeps a consistent flow of talented young players to progress through the ranks. Ben White is a fantastic recent example.

Ben White joined the Albion youth system in 2016, since, he has progressed over four loans to progressive clubs, and won player of the season (albeit subjectively) for Albion, before completing a £50 million move to Arsenal.

Yves Bissouma is set to join Tottenham Hotspur

This suggests the club will not be panicking in a situation of letting go of one of their current best players.  Internally, Albion are very well covered in the midfield areas. The recall of Moisés Caicedo in January 2022 demonstrated significant in the team’s spike in form at the later end of the 2021/22 season.

An exciting young talent, Caicedo has had an impact worthy of the history books since becoming a seagull. Manager Graham Potter has recently deciphered Steven Alzate and still has a place in the squad, as he is a player he likes a lot.

Alzate burst onto the Brighton scene, with Graham Potter seemingly trusting his ability to make the step up into the first team from the academy. For whatever reason, he dropped out of favour for Brighton - who invested in Enock Mwepu in the summer of 2021.

Mwepu will be deemed as a ‘good’ signing; a progressive, ball-carrying midfielder, who chips in regularly with goal contributions has certainly been a hit - despite struggling with injuries throughout the season.

Even below them in the age brackets, new Polish signing Kacper Kozlowski, who appears to be nothing short of a wonder kid, and fellow countryman Jakub Moder have exceptionally bright futures at the club. However, perhaps none of these will be considered the ‘ideal’ replacement for one of the best to ever wear the blue and white stripes.

Albion went a good portion of last season without Yves Bissouma and coped well. Alexis Mac Allister was a surprise package while dropping into a deeper role to cover for Bissouma’s absences, and played it well. The Argentinian international holds important attributes for a strong midfielder, not just physically either; an ability to create space while utilising his high energy and tempo has been shown to beat many midfielders last season.

Alexis Mac Allister has played in a deeper role often under manager Graham Potter

This is something which Yves Bissouma has been consistent with in his years at Albion, but, he comes out monumentally on top in terms of tackles won, something unmatched by a large portion of similar players in the Premier League.

Externally, it will be an interesting concept to see how Brighton view replacing Bissouma. Albion have had unconfirmed links with the likes of Cheick Doucoure, who now appears to be Crystal Palace bound, and 22-year-old Malian midfielder, Mohamed Camara from RB Salzburg.

The links could well just be paper talk, however, will be certainly something for which fans will be hoping, having lost a key figure. Ultimately, Albion probably should be looking into a replacement, at least in my humble opinion.

Bissouma’s boots will be extremely difficult ones to fill, however not impossible.  Nonetheless, there is a difference between coping, and exceeding. The truth is, Bissouma massively improved the midfield, and certainly brought the best out of the likes of Moises Caicedo and Enock Mwepu.

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The dynamic duo had the freedom to come forward, and become vital in the Albion attack. Games against Arsenal and Tottenham (league) away from home showed signs of a tactical masterstroke in midfield - an overload in quality, and both were outstanding in that.

Losing him will lose his effect on what is a generally very young midfield, and Caicedo and Mwepu should not be forced into losing their attacking capabilities, which have proven to be so effective in the last two months of the 21/22 season.

The depth within this part of midfield is quite light, without disregarding their clear individual talents, only Alexis Mac Allister and Steven Alzate being the obvious replacements - it could well be an eyecatching summer transfer window.