'He's a very shy kid' - Brighton's brilliant 'new N’golo Kante' will make them millions

Fabian Hurzeler likes to deliver a surprise or two at the start of the season.

In the German's first full season in charge, Yasin Ayari returned from uninspiring loans at Coventry and Blackburn before emerging as a vital figure for the Seagulls.

The Sweden international - who is out of contract this summer - has now been Brighton's most consistent midfielder for two seasons now.

Malick Yalcouye's recent loans at Sturm Graz and Swansea did little to suggest he was a Premier League player in the making for this campaign but opinions are quickly changing after his performances against Chelsea and Leeds United.

The Ivory Coast under-23 was excellent at Stamford Bridge and even scored a fine volley on his Premier League debut.

Yalcouye, 20, swiftly followed that with a man of the match performance in the 1-1 draw against Leeds at the Amex Stadium on Saturday.

Yalcouye caught the eye

His second half display against a very physical and impressive Leeds team caught the eye.

Yalcouye was deployed in the No 10 role just behind the main striker Charalampos Kostoulas and ahead of the midfield pivot of Pascal Gross and Ayari.

He displayed confidence on the ball, close control, accurate passing, a goal threat and sheer running power.

Compared with Kante

He's only 5ft 7in and has a slight frame but his endurance seems off the charts and drew comparisons to one of the best defensive midfielders of all time N'Golo Kanté.

Yalcouye's best position is said be in a more defensive midfield role but the former AIK man is clearly a versatile performer.

Regular No 10s Georginio and Jack Hinshelwood are currently sidelined with injuries and Hurzeler has gone with Yalcouye ahead of £25m man Matt O'Riley, who was on the bench against Leeds.

Playing in the No 10 gives Yalcouye a little more freedom and protects him somewhat from the more demanding deeper roles, where touch, technique and tactical awareness of Hurzeler's style is key. It is though something that Yalcouye is no doubt capable of developing in time.

Hurzeler spoke glowingly on Yalcouye after the Leeds match and loves the energy and defensive stability he brings to the team from the 10 position. Hinshelwood and Georginio are capable of doing the same.

It’s that defensive mindset - even in advanced positions - that gets Yalcouye in the Premier League starting XI ahead of the likes of O’Riley and perhaps reasons why creative talents such as Julio Enciso, Brajan Gruda and Facundo Buonanotte were allowed to leave under Hurzeler.

All bright sparks but they didn’t provide the balance that Hurzeler wants. Yalcouye clearly does.

Lewis Dunk knew

His displays against Chelsea and Leeds announced his talent to the fans and the Premier League but Albion skipper Lewis Dunk already knew.

"Everyone looks at him and thinks he's too small," said Dunk to Sussex World.

"I see him in training every day and he's a tough cookie. He'll run into any size.

"Luka [Vuskovic] is the biggest, he'll run against him and smash him. His size doesn't matter."

Dunk added: “He's a very shy kid but we're bringing that out of him."

Brighton paid £6m for Yalcouye

Brighton paid around £6m to sign him from AIK in 2024 and that's looking an increasingly astute piece of business.

What would N’golo Kante be worth in today's market...£120m, £130m or £140m perhaps?

Yalcouye is just two games in to his Premier League career, he's no Kante just yet but he's certainly one to keep an eye on.

Brighton and Hurzeler love to introduce a wild card and Yalcouye could well be Albion's for the coming season.