What awaits Deniz Undav at Brighton: ‘How many will I score? Maybe not 26, but a little less’

“If I’m stressed? I was this morning when I arrived by car, but I’m not now (smile).” More than six months after formalizing his move from Union SG to Brighton, Deniz Undav finally feels like a full member of Graham Potter’s group.

The Seagulls began their preparations this week, with their Premier League opener set for August 7 at Old Trafford. “For me, playing against Manchester United would mean a lot”admitted Undav on the club’s website where he will cross paths with Leandro Trossard in particular. “At that point, from my first minutes, I would fully realize that I am a Premier League player.”

Especially since Undav still remembers when he followed the Red Devils from his television set. Fate would have it that the former D4 player shared the pitch with Danny Welbeck, a former Mancunian, a few years later. “For me, Welbeck is a legend”he confided. “When I was young and he played for United I was a big fan and now I have the chance to grow with him. That’s why I say he’s a ‘legend. ‘. When I was 15, I looked up to him.”

To help the third least efficient team in the Premier League

Undav arrives with his share of expectations. The supporters will necessarily hope that he starts on a high note given his impressive numerical return last year (26 goals and 13 assists in the Pro League). “I will try to give the fans the best Deniz possible”said the German. “I’m very confident but I don’t think I’m going to score 26 again because the Belgian league is not the Premier League. I’m not going to set an exact total (of goals) that I want to achieve. I just want to shake the nets, maybe not 26 times, but a little less.”

If he even manages to reach half that count, he would beat the numbers of the two men he comes to compete/complement on the attacking front. Last season, the Frenchman Neal Maupay planted eight in the Premier League and Welbeck six (Trossard also eight). Figures that show that the attack is precisely the problem area of ​​​​Brighton.

Last year, the Seagulls were the third worst team in the English league. To measure this parameter, it suffices to analyze the deficit between the expected goals (the expected goals) and the goals actually scored: only Leeds (13.07) and Burnley (12.49) posted a more disappointing record than Brighton ( 11.88). But unlike the Peacocks and Clarets, who finished 17th and 18th respectively, Brighton finished in the top half of the table, in ninth place.

Who knows ? With a little more realism, Potter’s men could have joined the fight for a European place. While Maupay’s performance depends heavily on the level of confidence (highly variable) displayed by the Frenchman, Welbeck has never been a guarantee of goals in the truth zone. Undav’s mission is therefore clear: to convert Brighton’s possession and numerous chances to the scorer. “I can score from inside the box, outside, from half the pitch… In short, I can score from anywhere (laughs)“explained the last Pro Footballer of the year. “I try to hit the mark with my head, my left foot, my right foot, my shoulder, everything!”

“Mazzù knew how to handle me”

Undav also reflected on Union SG’s incredible campaign. “The past year has been both very good and very difficult”detailed the German. “Because at the end of the day we finished second as we were fighting for the title. Being first for a lot of the season and then finishing second is tough. But individually it was a very good season for me, I scored 26 goals and provided 13 assists.”

He also did not fail to mention the reasons for his success. “It’s thanks to my teammates and my coach who gave me the confidence I needed. He understood me and knew how to manage me. After a bad game, the team trusted me and they knew my qualities We were having fun, spending time together… It was essential. If I’m going to miss it? I hope to get the same treatment here (laughs).”