Brighton have found their £16m Kaoru Mitoma alternative after Wycombe display
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A number of Brighton players showed they are hungry to impress during Saturday's 4-1 pre-season win against Wycombe Wanderers.
Two goals from Greek striker Charalampos Kostoulas and one each for Ibrahim Osman and Georginio Rutter sealed the win against their League One opposition at the Lancing training ground.
Osman's acrobatic overhead kick was the highlight of the first half and the Ghana ace will hope to continue to catch the eye of head coach Fabian Hurzeler as Albion head to France for a pre-season training camp.
Osman, 21 joined Brighton in 2024 for around £16m from Nordsjælland and has had loans at Feyenoord, Auxerre and Birmingham.
The three-cap Ghana international is yet to make a first team appearance for Brighton and is contracted with the Seagulls until June 2029.
Opportunity for Osman
There is a window of opportunity for Osman on the left flank this term. He played on the right against Wycombe but mainly operates from the left.
Kaoru Mitoma, 29, continues his recovery from a hamstring injury and is unlikely to be fully fit for the start of the new season.
There was further disruption for Mitoma as the Japan winger was also involved in a car accident in Tokyo earlier this month that saw a female cyclist knocked off her bike. Police continue to investigate the incident.
It means Brighton are lacking a specialist left winger as they prepare to juggle Premier League and Conference League football next term.
Tommy Watson was also in action against Wycombe but the former Sunderland man is widely tipped to go out on loan once again next term.
The versatile Diego Gomez and Belgian left sided player Maxim De Cuyper can also play left wing but a flying Osman playing at the peak of his potential could be a real asset for Brighton this term.
Osman experienced Champions League football while at Feyenoord which could be valuable for Brighton in the Conference League. He also showed glimpses of his speed and power in Championship at Birmingham last term.
Osman was part of Brighton's £200m spend in the summer of 2024 but has so far flown under the radar.
This term could be his year to breakthrough and could provide a useful alternative to Mitoma - especially in the early stages of the coming season.