Why Brighton & Hove Albion should make a move for Adrian Grbic
According to a report from TeamTalk (h/t Scottish Daily), Brighton & Hove Albion are in a four-way tussle with fellow Premier League outfit Crystal Palace and Scottish giants – Celtic and Rangers, for the signing of Clermont striker Adrian Grbic.
Grbic started out at the academy of Wiener Viktoria in his homeland of Austria before linking up with the youth setup of Rapid Vienna. In 2012, the 23-year-old moved to Germany to join the VfB Stuttgart youth team and spent four years before returning to Austria with Floridsdorfer in 2016.
A year later, he was signed by SCR Altach, where he spent two years, scoring 15 goals in 52 matches. Grbic signed for French Ligue 2 outfit Clermont last summer, where he has impressed with 17 goals in 26 matches, leading to interest from Brighton, among other clubs (h/t Scottish Daily).
It has been a sub-par season for the Seagulls under the management of Graham Potter. While there have been positive signs in plenty, the results haven’t always gone their way, which is why they sit 15th in the Premier League table, just two points above the relegation zone.
Goals, or lack thereof, has been a problem for Brighton this season. So far, the Seagulls have managed to score just 32 goals in the Premier League. Only six teams have scored fewer than Potter’s men, two of whom are in the relegation zone.
Brighton spent heavily on Neal Maupay in the summer and he has fared decently, scoring 8 goals in 28 matches, amounting up to 25% of the club’s league goals. However, there is precious little depth in the centre-forward department beyond the Frenchman.
Veteran striker Glenn Murray has managed just one goal so far in 19 league games. Moreover, at 36, the Englishman is in the final leg of his professional career and needs to be replaced. Aaron Connolly is another option at Potter’s disposal for the centre-forward role but he has mostly been used out wide this season.
This only goes on to indicate the severe lack of depth in the strikers’ department at the AmEx stadium. And irrespective of whether they maintain their Premier League status or not, a new centre-forward should be a top priority for the Seagulls.
In that regard, the signing Grbic from Clermont would be a smart move for the club. At 23, the Austrian would be a long-term option. Given the dearth of options up front for Potter, the former Stuttgart academy man would add some much-needed depth in the squad.
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Should he be able to replicate his form from this season, he would prove to be a quality option to fight for the starting berth with Neal Maupay.
Verdict
Lack of goals has been a problem for Graham Potter and Brighton this season. With Glenn Murray in the final leg of his career, the club are in need of reinforcement in the centre-forward department this summer.
And Grbic, based on his form this season, would be a handy addition who would bring depth and quality to the Seagulls squad. Hence, they should try and lure the Austrian to the club this summer.
