Perhaps Brighton have unearthed their newest diamond in the rough, after winger Simon Adingra bagged a brace in the Seagulls’ 2-0 victory over Brentford in Premier League Summer Series action on Wednesday.
The 21-year-old winger looks set for his first season with Brighton after spending last season (signed from Nordsjaelland) on loan to Union SG in the Belgian first division. Adingra struck either side of halftime, as he made a strong case for regular inclusion in Roberto De Zerbi’s squad this season. Adingra, who has won one cap for the Ivory Coast, will offer just as much pace (and seemingly goals) on the left wing when Kaoru Mitoma is rested amid the fixture congestion that comes with competing in the Europa League.
[ WATCH LIVE: Premier League Summer Series on Peacock ]
Brentford became the first side to fail to score a goal in the Summer Series, but the Bees weren’t without plenty of chances — particularly Yoane Wissa, who on another night might have scored two or three of his own.
David Raya wasn’t included in Thomas Frank’s squad on Wednesday, as both sides eagerly await a resolution to the goalkeeper’s developing transfer saga. Raya has stated his desire to leave after Tottenham reportedly had multiple bids rejected earlier this month, and Brentford are said to be happy to let him leave — for the right price. Therein lies the problem, it seems.
Brentford vs Brighton, final score: 0-2
Goalscorers: Simon Adingra (19', 58')
How to watch Brentford vs Brighton in the Summer Series live, stream link
Kickoff: 5:30pm ET Wednesday
Where: Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia
TV Channel/Stream: Premier League Summer Series on Peacock
Simon Adingra doubled his, and Brighton’s, goal tally in the 58th minute, and what a tidy goal and finish it was. Steven Alzate played the Ivorian international winger into space on the left wing, and Adingra weaved his way into a shooting lane after cutting inside and tucked the ball inside the far post for 2-0.
Jason Steele played the perfect long ball over the top, just as Simon Adingra made the perfect run at the perfect time to beat Kristoffer Ajer and round Mark Flekken before pinging a right-footed finish off the inside of the post.
🐝 Your Bees to take on Brighton tonight in Atlanta#PLSummerSeries | #BREBHA pic.twitter.com/gQvmBkc9sv
— Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) July 26, 2023
TEAM NEWS! 🚨 Here's how we start #BREBHA in the #PLSummerSeries. 👀📝 pic.twitter.com/rbDBfy6Din
— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) July 26, 2023
Record-signing Nathan Collins impressed against Fulham, and a pair of Freiburg imports are also set to be under the microscope in Kevin Schade and keeper Mark Flekken.
The Bees will look mostly the same, though they had a few familiar faces skip town. Pontus Jansson and Saman Ghoddos will not be with Brentford.
Roberto De Zerbi had to have loved what he saw from big buy and former Watford star Joao Pedro against Chelsea. The physical forward drew-and-won a penalty before setting up a goal for Denis Undav. Other new faces for Brighton include Anderlecht goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen, longtime Liverpool and Man City servant James Milner, and Dortmund’s Mahmoud ‘Mo’ Dahoud.
The most notable exit by far, so far, is Alexis Mac Allister. He’s now with Liverpool. Brighton is hoping to hang onto Moises Caicedo, having so far withstood advances from Chelsea amid rumored interest from any number of sources (The overwhelming topic of conversation in the press rooms was whether Levi Colwill could be involved in a move the other way). Robert Sanchez looks likely to leave, still unhappy with losing his No. 1 job to Jason Steele, and will not feature on the tour.