Why Brighton still contemplate giving deformed player a second chance…

Brighton is contemplating the possibility of giving Deniz Undav another chance to make an impact, considering his remarkable performance this season. Despite being somewhat forgotten amidst Brighton’s squad changes, Undav has been in exceptional form, particularly during his loan spell at Stuttgart, where he’s been instrumental in their bid to qualify for the Champions League. While Stuttgart has the option to purchase Undav, Brighton is weighing the option of reintegrating him into Roberto De Zerbi’s plans for the Premier League.

Undav made a significant impact for Brighton in the latter part of the previous season, securing Europa League qualification with a flurry of goals. Signed for £6 million from Union Saint-Gilloise in Belgium, he initially spent time on loan back at his former club before returning to Brighton. Despite limited playing time, Undav managed to impress, scoring his first Premier League goal after several starts. However, due to strong competition within the squad, he was subsequently loaned out to Stuttgart, where he has excelled, garnering attention from his parent club.

Undav’s impressive record in the Bundesliga, averaging either a goal or assist per game, has raised the possibility of him returning to Brighton for another shot at the Premier League. While Stuttgart has the option to purchase him, Brighton’s need for bolstering their frontline, especially considering their decreased goal tally this season and absence from European competition, may prompt them to recall Undav.

Although Undav desired more playing time, his prolific scoring record in the Bundesliga, ranking among the top scorers, highlights his potential value to Brighton. However, Stuttgart’s reluctance to lose both Undav and Serhou Guirassy, who has been integral to their attack, adds a layer of complexity. Brighton must carefully weigh their options, especially with other attacking options like Joao Pedro, Evan Ferguson, and Danny Welbeck in contention.

Furthermore, Guirassy’s potential departure, coupled with Undav’s return, could leave Stuttgart facing a significant void in their attacking lineup, potentially prompting them to utilize funds from Guirassy’s sale to secure Undav permanently.