Sussex

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We asked for your views on what one thing needs to change at Brighton before the new campaign and why.

Here are some of your comments:

Ken: Bigger, more easily visible screens in the stadium.

Julian: I repeatedly read about lots of unconverted goalscoring opportunities so that suggests we need finishers - strikers/scorers. Danny Welbeck put in a decent shift but there were ups and downs and maybe there's a Joao Pedro-shaped hole still?

Alexander: I personally think we are doing well. We need to buy a few players to give us depth. Somebody like Summerville would give us enough depth to juggle all competitions.

Matthew: Unfortunately for Brighton, they are victims of their own success. Not only have they been plundered of their resources across the board but their biggest rivals have gone and won two trophies in the space of a year. That places a massive amount of expectation on the club from fans to match them, but the club just aren't set up to win. They are still a development centre for the elite. There is a sense that this identity is being challenged now as demand for a trophy increases. Do they stick or twist? Do they need to look at how they recruit, develop and retain players and staff? The cracks are showing. Some big decisions to be made this summer. Bloom cannot be called into question for his commitment to the club but perhaps he should consider a change of leadership, one more intent on establishing a reputation than preserving one.

Alex D: The spine of the team is geriatric. With Milner retired, and Dunk, Gross, and Welbeck all 34+, replacements need to be lined up there, particularly midfield, which currently is very lightweight.

Jake: If we're talking players, a right-back (ideally two). If we're talking squad, change the loan strategy and commit to a year of providing regular football across four competitions for the multitude of potentials we have. Otherwise, maybe a little less entitlement from the fans. Hurzeler has delivered two of the three highest points totals we've had in the Premier League and secured a second season in Europe.

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Listen to every Brighton game live on BBC Radio Sussex, with all the build-up and full commentary with Johnny Cantor and Warren Aspinall, and there is a full preview of all Seagulls' matches on Fridays at 18:00 in The Weekend Warm-up

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Former Brighton midfielder Gary Dicker says the club are "well equipped" to "attack" European football next season.

Speaking to BBC Radio Sussex's Johnny Cantor about the Seagulls qualifying for a second season in Europe, Dicker said: "It's been a good season in general. You are going to get patches in the season in general where you are going to struggle. It's a hard, hard league. They've done well getting into Europe, they were so unlucky in the last game of the season. If they didn't play Manchester United, in form, new manager, everything kind of aligned for them a bit. The first goal was massive that day."

Dicker, who is now assistant coach for Major League Soccer club Charlotte FC, added: "It's been great to see from afar. I was working at the club during the Europa League stage and saw the buzz it brings about playing different opponents. It's the main thing for the fans to get an away trip. When you've travelled to Gillingham to watch Brighton and then they are in the Europa Conference and you see the English teams who have done well in it over the years, there's no reason why they can't go and attack it and you never know, they could be in a final this time next year.

"I think the players that they have now are exposed to playing in big games all the time for club or country. They will have learnt off the pitch but on the pitch they are well equipped for it."

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AIK Stockholm say they are in talks to sell 18-year-old Nigerian winger Zadok Yohanna, who has been linked with Brighton, Chelsea and Newcastle United. (Northern Echo), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column

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Chris Collinson
BBC Sport statistician

With all 48 World Cup squads now confirmed, we look at how they shape up and compare with each other leading into the tournament.

Which clubs have the most players?

Looking just at the 20 clubs that made up the 2025-26 Premier League, only this season's top three have more players at the World Cup than Conference League winners Crystal Palace (12).

Including players out on loan over the season, Sunderland remarkably have as many representatives on the global stage as Chelsea and Liverpool (11), showing just how globe-trotting their recruitment was following promotion last summer.

The majority of Brentford, Everton and Leeds' squads can put their feet up and recharge their batteries for next season, with those clubs sending just four players each.

• Get more key stats on participation

The 2026-27 Premier League season will be here before we know it, with the first matches taking place on Saturday, 22 August.

We have a simple question for you - what one thing needs to change at your club before the new campaign and why?

It can be a player, manager, ticketing issue, owner, or wider change.

Let us know in detail here

Johnny Cantor
BBC Radio Sussex Brighton reporter

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It was set to be a big few months for Brighton's sporting director Jason Ayto.

The 41-year-old was set to oversee his first summer transfer window. The club rarely do major business in January, resolute in their belief there is more value in the market after June.

Therefore, a fair few eyebrows were raised as his departure was announced on Wednesday, just nine months after his arrival. It is understood the separation was amicable, with technical director Mike Cave providing vital continuity as he takes on the role.

Brighton place a huge emphasis on data and their success is well-documented, but Ayto's previous focus, including over a decade at Arsenal, relied more on other aspects.

The timing of the decision makes sense for both Ayto and Brighton. He can pursue other options and the Albion can focus on the start of the transfer window (15 June).

The role was new to a club that has finished in the top half of the Premier League table in four of the past five seasons. The demands on running Brighton in the top flight continue to grow.

The Seagulls also have an ambitious, young head coach in Fabian Hurzeler, who stated on his arrival that he wanted to "challenge the establishment". He embarks on a second campaign in Europe with the club still finding its way among the elite.

Brighton are never reactive, but are always decisive.

One thing is for sure, owner Tony Bloom and chief executive Paul Barber (who deals with outgoing transfer business) will aim to support Cave and Hurzeler across a key period and leading into a year where the club is aiming to celebrate its 125th anniversary with silverware.

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We asked for your views after Brighton announced that sporting director Jason Ayto has left the club with immediate effect and whether it is a concern heading into the summer.

Here are some of your comments:

Olly: Obviously, for whatever reason, it has not worked out and better to make any changes at the beginning of the close season rather than at the start of a new campaign.

Luke: This is a worrying development. He was meant to be building our brilliant squad for next season in this window. Guess he is off somewhere else! Really frustrating.

Tim: Less than a year. Perhaps he wasn't bringing the right food to the table.

Barry: Begs the question why Brighton cannot retain players, nor staff. Is the problem internal? Players, staff and owners come and go, but supporters are lifelong.

Annette: It is a worry. Does Paul Barber think he can get things done in his way, rather than listen to reason? If things were right, we would still have Roberto de Zerbi.

Chris: Bad timing on the eve of a crucial summer transfer window. Our recruitment hasn't been great in the past four transfer windows and it's vital it improves this summer. Not sure how this departure helps.