Brighton rated: Who have been the standout Albion performers so far this season?

Let's take a look a look at some of the standout performers so far this season for Albion, with the help of some advanced statistics from data experts
MarchMarch
March

It was hard to pick out individuals from this Brighton team, as the whole is greater than the sum of its parts, but let's give it a go anyway and see if you agree.

Most improved: Solly March

March has made that left-wing-back position his own since Potter started to consistently play a 3-5-2 system. He's been arguably Brighton's best player this season, is an important player in Potter's system and has recorded some impressive underlying numbers compared to other full-backs in the league. It's a shame he is out injured, with a specific date not yet set for his return.

BissoumaBissouma
Bissouma
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According to football data site Fbref.com, March has been good at setting up shot-creating actions for his teammates, carrying the ball up the pitch, dribbling past players, tackling, and passing the ball forwards into the attacking third.

Most consistent: Yves Bissouma

Tough one to call as there could be a few names given this title. But I think Bissouma has been rock solid sat just in front of the back three this season. His athleticism, hunger, technique and ability to carry out the boss' orders has put him up there as the most consistent this campaign.

I've not seen him put a foot wrong. He does the important work which allows the team a foundation to build from - an important player both in defence and attack. Will Brighton be able to keep hold of him for the foreseeable future, though?

DunkDunk
Dunk

According to Fbref.com, Bissouma has been in the top tier for tackles and dribbles per 90 minutes, and also rated as effective at intercepting, blocking and pressing compared to other centre-mids in the league.

Most important: Lewis Dunk

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Possibly the easiest call of them all. Dunk is Brighton's captain, leader, legend. He has produced some big displays of late in Albion's recent upturn in form, making some important blocks against Liverpool and Burnley and leading by example in general. He has also come up with some important goals and takes a lot of shots for a centre-back.

Surely he'll finish his career with Brighton?

SanchezSanchez
Sanchez

According to Fbref.com, Dunk makes a lot of progressive passes forward and is a threat in the opposition's penalty box. Dunk's defensive numbers aren't as impressive, however, which I think is down to Brighton being quite solid overall and being hard to penetrate, meaning that Dunk hasn't had to make as many tackles, blocks or interceptions as his Premier League counterparts.

Breakthrough season: Robert Sanchez

Another tough one to call, but Sanchez has worked his way up out of the Albion academy and now seized the moment to make the keeper position his own. Has been impressive since his league debut against Spurs in November last year, keeping six clean sheets in 13 league appearances so far, putting him in the top four for clean sheets to game ratio.

He has produced some big saves and confident claims from corners and also comes across as a bit of a leader.

LampteyLamptey
Lamptey
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It's hard to prove as there is no metric for it, but it could be said the defence has looked more solid and that's why Sanchez has kept more clean sheets, it could also be argued that Sanchez's presence has made the defence more solid. Either way, Brighton look much more streetwise and hard to beat with him in between the sticks.

One for the future: Tariq Lamptey

I miss watching Lamptey play. The fastest player in the league, plays with a smile on his face, is a constant positive threat down the right and he's only 20. What a future he has ahead of him, and what a great bit of recruitment from Albion, even better that he has signed a contract extension with the club until 2025.

He's been out with a hamstring injury for months now but is expected to return soon. Hopefully he can end his first season with Albion as he started, and maybe even force his way into the England set up for this summer's Euro tournament.

According to Fbref.com, Lamptey's underlying figures back up just how positive a player he is. The former Chelsea man is in the top tiers of progressive carries, touches in the opposition's box, dribbles completed and interceptions compared to other full-backs in the league.