Brighton and Hove Albion head coach Fabian Hürzeler has named new signing Chema Andres in the match-day squad to face Leeds United at the Amex this afternoon (Saturday 5 September).
Andres, who turned 21 in April, is on the bench as Albion take on Daniel Farke’s unbeaten side although the visitors have yet to win at the Amex. In fact, their last win in Brighton was at the Withdean in 2009.
Leeds will be without defender Joe Rodon who is out for up to 10 weeks with the hamstring injury he suffered against Brentford in their last game.
Albion are without Mats Wieffer with a knee injury and their other transfer deadline day signing this week, Femi Azeez, is also carrying a minor injury.
Hürzeler said that he hoped Andres can one day live up to comparisons with Spain World Cup winner Rodri.
The 21-year-old defensive midfielder joined from German club Stuttgart on deadline day for a reported £15.5 million and has been dubbed “Baby Rodri”. He is a Spain Under-21 international and former Real Madrid player.
Hürzeler said: “Rodri is one of the best players in the world so it’s a long journey but we will help him to get there and he will help himself because he has a great character.
“He has this motivation of wanting to improve every day. You can really feel that he’s very ambitious and therefore I can understand this comparison but it’s still a long way to go. Hopefully, he can get there one day – it would be a big one for us.”
Meanwhile, Hurzeler has challenged Yankuba Minteh to help Brighton succeed before earning a dream move. Winger Minteh, who is currently injured, was linked with Liverpool during the summer transfer window.
Hürzeler said: “If we achieve things together then the attention will come to individual players.
“If the whole team is successful and individuals shine, then Yankuba will get a lot of attention again and then he can maybe fulfil his dream in the next transfer window.”
Wieffer was ruled out of Brighton’s next four matches with a bizarre knee injury. The utility player sustained the damage after he was struck in the face by the ball during Sunday’s 4-3 defeat at Chelsea.
Leeds boss Farke said that Brighton’s signature style did not appear to have altered despite a busy summer in the transfer market.
His side are unbeaten in their first two Premier League matches but have not won at Brighton for 17 years and failed to score on their past eight visits.
Farke said that he was preparing for a tough encounter with the Seagulls after a 4-0 in the opener against Aston Villa before a 4-3 defeat at Chelsea last weekend.
Eleven permanent signings have arrived at the Amex since the end of last season but Farke believes that his compatriot Hürzeler has a way of playing which will not change just because of those new personnel.
Farke said: “The DNA is still there, the same manager, the same processes and the same style of play. I think they are quite similar.
“Of course, players always influence the game, and if players with different skills come in, it changes also the game a little bit. But, overall, I see the same handwriting.
“They’ve played especially a really good second half of last season. Qualified for Europe, impressive start to the season.
“Fabian has done a fantastic job there and we travel also very respectful, knowing our record away at Brighton is also not perfect in the last years so we have to be at our very best in order to be competitive.”
