Brighton's returning hero saved a £100m transfer disaster

In 2017, Brighton paid around £2.5m to sign Pascal Gross from FC Ingolstadt and then in January Albion paid £1m to re-sign the midfielder from Borussia Dortmund, having sold the German in 2024 for £8m.

That means Brighton have banked almost £5m in profit on a player that has made 273 appearances and scored 33 goals, with an impressive 54 assists. Gross, now 34, is without doubt one of the best pieces of business the club has ever completed in their Premier League era.

Sure, the likes of Moises Caicedo, Marc Cucurella, Joao Pedro (thanks Chelsea) and Alexis MacAllister all delivered more in profit but in terms of what Gross has achieved on the pitch for Brighton, I really don't think it can bettered.

Despite this, there was concern among some Albion fans when he returned last January. "He's way too old,” or “ he's past it now,” and “he can't cope with the Premier League anymore," - were some of the comments. And, to be fair, all valid questions and ones that Gross had to and has since proved.

Gross thinks fast on the pitch

Head coach Fabian Hurzeler wasn't concerned by his lack of speed as "Gross thinks faster on pitch. He sees it,” said the German, who admitted he’d been in regular touch with Gross during his time at Dortmund.

Hurzeler has also spoken a few times of late on the importance of trying to keep the game a bit slower when out of possession and work on team shape to cope with the faster teams in the Premier League.

But, taking all that into account, surely Gross’ body can't cope with playing once or twice a week in the Premier League? Well, so far, it can and it has.

He returned to top flight action on January 3 in the 2-0 home win against Burnley and played the final 20 minutes.

Since then he played 90 minutes against Manchester City, 90 minutes in the FA Cup at Manchester United, 90 minutes against Bournemouth, 88 minutes at Fulham, 90 minutes and a goal against Everton, 90 minutes against Crystal Palace, 90 minutes at Aston Villa, 90 minutes in the Cup at Liverpool, 90 minutes against Brentford, 90 minutes and an assist against Nottingham Forest and 90 minutes against Arsenal. He'll likely go the distance once again at Sunderland this Saturday too

Gross’ know-how could not be replaced

His importance to Hurzeler is clear. Before his arrival, Brighton simply could not be trusted in possession. So often in key moments Albion would give the ball away cheaply, invite pressure and concede. Gross' efficiency and know-how was missed badly.

Hurzeler knew it, the club knew it and that's why they did they all could to get their man back.

Brighton's midfield was already stacked with talent. Carlos Baleba has the ability to play at the very highest level but this season he has often been a liability. The Cameroon international has been a long way short of last season’s form and he’s been a big problem for Hurzeler.

Sweden international Yasin Ayari is the pick of the midfielders but his distribution is still not quite at Gross levels.

Jack Hinshelwood - fresh from signing a new deal - is also a real talent and is now finding his feet in a favoured advanced midfield position. Gross drops deeper as he can provide more stability alongside the options of Belaba, Ayari, Diego Gomez's and of course another veteran James Milner.

When Hurzeler needed results the most at Brentford and then at home to Forest, Gross and Milner were his midfield duo. A combined age of 74.

Poor transfer dealings

Of course it's great that Gross is back but it's also a stark admission that Albion's recent business in that area of the pitch has been poor.

Georginio's best position is as second striker or attacking midfield and, after a solid first season, the £40m record signing has struggled badly this campaign. He has just two goals this term.

Matt O'Riley joined for £25m and spent the first half of the season in Marseille before returning in January. O’Riley and the club have so far not been the right fit.

Brajan Gruda, another £25m arrival, has shown only very brief glimpses of his potential before moving to RB Leipzig in the winter window. Quite what happens to him going forward is unclear.

Almost £100m was spent to replace a Gross shaped hole, but the only man who could really do it, was Gross himself. It's a problem Brighton will need to address in the mid to long term but for now, they still have Gross.

A man who has not let Brighton down for almost a decade... and made the club around £5m in the process. A manager's, fans' and chairman's dream.

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