For a bit of fun, we've used the latest edition of Football Manager to travel five years into the future, and taken a look at how Brighton's side shapes up. This is how the management simulator predicts the Seagulls will be lining up in January 2026.
. Brighton
(Photo by PHILIPPE DESMAZES / AFP) (Photo by PHILIPPE DESMAZES/AFP via Getty Images) Photo: PHILIPPE DESMAZES
. GK: Illan Meslier
You join us in January 2026, where Brighton & Hove Albion are pushing for Europa League qualification, sitting in seventh place. The ex-Leeds United stopper is their new number one. Photo: Pool
. RB: Tariq Lamptey
Now worth a whopping £42.5m, it's fair to say that Lamptey has blossomed into quite the player. He turned down offers from far and wide to stay with Brighton, but is still, rather ominously, on Spurs' radar. Photo: Naomi Baker
. CB: Ben White
Five years on, Ben White is also still on the Seagulls' books. He's become an England international, and is now in the prime of his career. The now 28-year-old is one of the club's most reliable performers. Photo: ANDREW COULDRIDGE
. CB: Mykyta Burda
White's defensive partner is an experienced Ukraine international, who is midway through his second season at the club after spells with Dynamo Kiev and Chelsea. His 16/20 work rate attribute rating is particularly striking. Photo: Dean Mouhtaropoulos
. LB: Owen Wijndal
Brighton splashed out £34m to bring in the talented left-back, who is the club's highest earner on a hefty £115k-per-week. His pace, stamina and tackling ratings are all top-notch. Photo: Dean Mouhtaropoulos
. CM: Amer Gojak
The Bosnian midfielder is a relentless presence in the heart of Brighton's side. He joined from Torino in 2022 for a reasonable £9.5m transfer fee - he's now worth over three times that figure. Photo: Alessandro Sabattini
. CM: Oliver Ntcham
After filling his boots with trophies at Celtic, the Frenchman opted for a new challenge in the Premier League. The ex-Man City youngster took time to break into the Seagulls' first team, but is now a key player. Photo: Mark Runnacles
. CM: Takefusa Kubo
He couldn't get a game at Real Madrid, and joined Brighton after a series of loan spells elsewhere, most notably with Aston Villa. He's worth close to £40m, and is an exciting talent with bags of flair. Photo: David Ramos
1. GK: Illan Meslier
You join us in January 2026, where Brighton & Hove Albion are pushing for Europa League qualification, sitting in seventh place. The ex-Leeds United stopper is their new number one. Photo: Pool
2. RB: Tariq Lamptey
Now worth a whopping £42.5m, it's fair to say that Lamptey has blossomed into quite the player. He turned down offers from far and wide to stay with Brighton, but is still, rather ominously, on Spurs' radar. Photo: Naomi Baker
3. CB: Ben White
Five years on, Ben White is also still on the Seagulls' books. He's become an England international, and is now in the prime of his career. The now 28-year-old is one of the club's most reliable performers. Photo: ANDREW COULDRIDGE
4. CB: Mykyta Burda
White's defensive partner is an experienced Ukraine international, who is midway through his second season at the club after spells with Dynamo Kiev and Chelsea. His 16/20 work rate attribute rating is particularly striking. Photo: Dean Mouhtaropoulos