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New York Times
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- New York Times
Brighton's player of the season: Danny Welbeck – the club's record Premier League scorer
The selection of Jan Paul van Hecke as Brighton & Hove Albion's player of the season in the official vote maintained a pattern during the club's Premier League era of defenders or midfielders landing the prize. The Dutch centre-back has added his name to a list that includes Pascal Gross (2023-24), Moises Caicedo (2022-23), Marc Cucurella (2021-22) and Ben White (2020-21). There is no suggestion that Van Hecke will extend another theme this summer — winners of the award immediately leaving the club. Gross (Borussia Dortmund), Caicedo (Chelsea), Cucurella (Chelsea) and White (Arsenal) all moved on. Jan Paul van Hecke. What a guy. 💙🤍 — Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) May 8, 2025 Danny Welbeck is also expected to stay put. There is a good case that Welbeck, in the autumn of his career, deserved to be the winner from a shortlist that also included young player of the season Carlos Baleba. Welbeck was never prolific for Manchester United, Arsenal or England, but his value to those teams went beyond his goal tally. At age 34, he is better than he has ever been. Advertisement A 4-2 defeat at Brentford in April overshadowed two telling landmarks reached by Welbeck when he equalised with a header just before half-time. His ninth goal in the Premier League and 13th Premier League goal involvement (also four assists) equalled his best tallies in those categories in 17 seasons performing in the top tier. (He scored nine goals twice for United, his boyhood club, in 2011-12 and 2013-14.) Welbeck went on to reach 10 goals for the first time with a penalty in the 2-0 win at Wolves in May. It was also a season in which he became Brighton's record Premier League scorer, overtaking Gross with his 31st goal for the club in the top flight in a 2-1 defeat at rivals Crystal Palace in April. His 33 goals overall comprise 15 with his right foot, seven with his left and 11 headers, which highlights his all-round capabilities. He has scored inside the box, outside the box and, for the first time in his senior career, directly from a free kick (in a 2-2 home draw against Nottingham Forest in September). But Welbeck's game is about much more than the only currency that tends to provoke judgement of a striker. The way he led the line and linked the play was reassuring for head coach Fabian Hurzeler in a first season beset by the irregular availability of so much of the squad. Absences through injury have been an irritating constant throughout Welbeck's career. He missed the last match of the season at Tottenham on Sunday, but he still made 24 league starts. That was more than Joao Pedro (23) and Georginio Rutter (19). Hurzeler relied heavily on Welbeck after Rutter sustained ankle damage in the FA Cup quarter-final exit at home to Nottingham Forest, even more so for four of the last five games following a red card suspension for Joao Pedro in the Brentford match, and then the Brazilian's omission from the squad for the final two fixtures on disciplinary grounds after an altercation in training with Van Hecke. 'If you work hard and always try to give your best for the club, on the pitch and off the pitch, then you deserve it,' said Hurzeler, speaking after Welbeck went past Gross' goals tally against Palace. That sums up Welbeck. As well as his talents and enduring appetite on the field, he is a hugely respected figure in the dressing room. He is not loud but, when he speaks, team-mates listen. 'He's the best example,' Van Hecke told The Athletic after a 2-1 home win against Fulham in March. 'Why we are doing well is because of people like him, if you see him on the pitch. Advertisement 'Even when he's not playing, he gives everyone confidence and he's a real leader in his voice and also how he acts. He's an example for me and other guys. If you see each other on the pitch and have a feeling, 'We're going to win' it helps us a lot.' Van Hecke, who turns 25 in June, is a popular figure too, having picked up the players' players of the season award as well as the main prize. Together with 21-year-old Cameroon prospect Baleba in central midfield, Welbeck completed a spine that Hurzeler was consistently able to rely upon. Welbeck has another season left on his Brighton contract, while the club also has an option to retain his services for a further year. His influence is set to continue under Hurzeler. 'I know the value Danny Welbeck has for us and the value is crucial,' said Hurzeler before a 2-2 draw at Manchester City in March. 'It's not only the value he adds on the pitch by making assists, by scoring, by helping the team, by his work ethic, it's also the behaviour beside the pitch, how helpful he is to build this connection in a team, to build the social bond between the individual players. He's crucial for me and the whole club.'
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Albion 'wait and see' on Joao Pedro - amid claim of training ground row
Joao Pedro's involvement in Albion's final game of the season is in doubt. The Brazil forward was left out of the matchday 20 to face Liverpool for what were described as private reasons. It was later reported by The Athletic that he had been involved in a training ground altercation with Jan Paul van Hecke. Joao Pedro had been due to return after a three-match ban as Albion chase an unlikely route back into European football. The incident is said to have happened in the run-up to the recent game at Wolves, for which Joao Pedro was not available. Albion have since declined to comment. HOW BRIGHTON CAN STILL MAKE EUROPE ON FINAL DAY Asked about Joao Pedro's absence after the Liverpool game, Fabian Hurzeler said in his press conference that his No.9 missed out due to 'private reasons why he was not available'. Further asked whether Joao Pedro and the injured Tariq Lamptey could feature on the final day at Spurs, he replied: 'We have to see' Joao Pedro has not played since being red-carded in the 3-2 defeat at Brentford. Albion have since picked up ten points from a possible 12 in his absence but he has scored precious goals for the club both in the Premier League and Europe.
Daily Mail
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Brighton star Joao Pedro missing from Premier League clash with Liverpool 'due to an altercation with his TEAM-MATE'
Brighton star Joao Pedro was reportedly absent from the club's 3-2 win against Liverpool after getting into an alleged altercation with a team-mate during training, according to reports. The Seagulls hosted the Premier League champions amid their post-title handover, with the hosts claiming home victory which could keep European football in play for next season. But the home side were forced to claim the win without Pedro, who was set to return to the squad after serving a three-game suspension for a red card picked up against Brentford in April. Pedro was judged to have flung his arm recklessly at Nathan Collins, striking him on the face and leaving him floored on the turf. The 23-year-old was handed a straight red card - which was later checked by VAR, who deemed their review inconclusive and left the decision with referee Tim Robinson - and put the visitors down to 10 men to see out the 4-2 away defeat. But although Pedro had missed the previous Premier League tie against Wolves, his absence from the squad on Monday came as more of a surprise. Head coach Fabian Hurzeler described the gap in his squad as being due to 'private reasons' after full-time. '(Tariq Lamptey) has an injury with his knee, and Joao had private reasons why he was not available,' Hurzeler said when pressed. 'So, let's see how it is going to continue.' As per the Athletic, Pedro is believed to have got into an altercation with Jan Paul van Hecke in the build-up to facing off with Wolves on May 10. But while Pedro was sidelined, Van Hecke was available to feature for the full 90 minutes both against Wolves and at the Amex against Liverpool on Monday evening. Brighton declined to comment on the allegations when contacted by the outlet. Mail Sport have contacted Brighton for further comment. Jan Paul van Hecke took part in both Monday's clash with Liverpool and the earlier Wolves tie Pedro is the club's joint top scorer this season in the domestic top flight, with 10 goals to his name, and contracted to the club until 2028. Van Hecke - who was his club's Players' Player of the Season - previously heaped compliments on his team-mate's penalty-taking abilities in March. 'I would put it all on him,' Van Hecke said after beating Fulham 2-1 when asked if there was anyone else he would want to take a crucial penalty. The 24-year-old then went on to compare him favourably to Mohamed Salah.
Scottish Sun
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Brighton star Joao Pedro ‘axed from squad after training ground bust-up' with team-mate Jan Paul van Hecke
The 23-year-old has been linked with a summer move WHAT THE HECKE WHAT THE HECKE Brighton star Joao Pedro 'axed from squad after training ground bust-up' with team-mate Jan Paul van Hecke Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) JOAO PEDRO was axed from Brighton's squad against Liverpool after a reported training ground bust-up with a teammate. The Brazilian was left out by head coach Fabian Hurzeler for Monday's dramatic 3-2 win at the Amex. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Joao Pedro was involved in a training ground bust-up ahead of Brighton's game with Wolves Credit: Rex 2 The Brazilian clashed with Jan Paul van Hecke, who featured for the Seagulls against Liverpool Credit: Shutterstock Editorial Pedro had been set to return to the squad after missing the last three games through suspension. The 23-year-old was given a straight red card for throwing an elbow in last month's 4-2 loss to Brentford. Hurzeler told reporters Pedro missed the Liverpool game due to "private reasons". But The Athletic claim the forward was involved in a training ground altercation with team-mate Jan Paul van Hecke. READ MORE ON FOOTBALL BASQUE IN GLORY Man United & Spurs fans get Europa League final party started in Bilbao Pedro clashed with van Hecke ahead of Brighton's game at Wolves on May 10. Van Hecke played the full 90 minutes at both Molineux and the Amex, where Brighton came from behind to snatch a dramatic win. Pedro arrived on the South Coast from Watford in the summer of 2023. He signed for a then club record fee of £30million and is contracted until 2028. BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK The versatile forward has proved a hit with the Seagulls faithful, bagging 30 goals in 69 games. This season he is the club's joint top scorer with 10 alongside Danny Welbeck and Kaoru Mitoma. I can win the Ballon D'or says Brighton's Carlos Baleba Pedro has been linked with a summer move away from Brighton, with Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool touted as possible destinations. Brighton are said to be demanding £70million for the versatile forward. SunSport has approached Brighton for comment.
New York Times
20-05-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Joao Pedro missed Brighton's Liverpool win after training altercation with Jan Paul van Hecke
Brighton & Hove Albion forward Joao Pedro missed Monday's win over Liverpool following a training ground altercation with team-mate Jan Paul van Hecke. Joao Pedro, 23, had been available to feature in the Premier League fixture at the Amex Stadium after returning from a three-game suspension but was absent from the matchday squad. Brighton head coach Fabian Hurzeler said at full time the Brazil international was missing due to 'private reasons'. Advertisement However, sources with knowledge of the situation, speaking on the condition of anonymity, told The Athletic Joao Pedro's absence was due to an altercation with Van Hecke, 24, that took place in training during the week building up to the Premier League fixture against Wolverhampton Wanderers on May 10. Brighton declined to comment when approached by The Athletic. Joao Pedro missed the win at Wolves as he served the final game in his three-match suspension following his red card for violent conduct against Brentford in April. Van Hecke played the full 90 minutes at Molineux and during Monday's 3-2 victory over Liverpool. Speaking at full time on Monday, Hurzeler was asked about Joao Pedro and Tariq Lamptey, who both missed the win at the Amex. 'We have to see,' he replied. 'T (Lamptey) has an injury with his knee and Joao had private reasons why he was not available. So, let's see how it is going to continue.' Joao Pedro has made 30 appearances in all competitions this season and is Brighton's joint top scorer in the Premier League with 10 goals. He joined the club from Watford in the summer of 2023 for £30million, a club record fee at the time, and his contract runs through to 2028. Van Hecke has featured in 33 of Brighton's 37 Premier League matches this campaign and this month was voted as both the club's supporters' and players' player of the season. Brighton are eighth in the Premier League and remain in contention to qualify for the Conference League ahead of their final game of the season against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.
