Maxim De Cuyper has undergone a rapid transformation in the eyes of English observers, evolving from a player criticized for his defensive limitations to one being compared to the early career trajectory of Gareth Bale.
From defensive skepticism to offensive impact
The narrative surrounding De Cuyper began to shift in late August 2025. Earlier in the summer, reports from the fan-focused outlet WeAreBrighton assessed his 2025/26 season performance with a modest average rating of 5.55, noting that while his crossing ability showed promise, he “cannot really defend.” Throughout the preseason, the skepticism persisted, with analysts suggesting that Brighton lacked natural wingers while Kaoru Mitoma and Yankuba Minteh were sidelined, explicitly stating that De Cuyper was a left-back rather than a solution for the attack.
That perception changed on August 23, when Brighton manager Fabian Hürzeler deployed De Cuyper in a more advanced role during a 4-0 victory against Aston Villa. De Cuyper scored a goal, forced an own goal from Victor Lindelöf, and provided the assist for the team’s third goal. Following that performance, his rating from the same outlet jumped to 8.88, with the assessment concluding he was “much better suited to playing on the wing.”
Establishing a new role at Brighton
The statistical output has supported the tactical shift. Following five matchdays, De Cuyper led all defenders in the Premier League’s fantasy rankings for chances created, tallying 11, including three “big chances.” Data from Fantasy Football Scout indicates that no other player in his category recorded as many touches in the final third. By September, Brighton supporters voted him the club’s Player of the Month, signaling a shift in team dynamics during Mitoma’s absence.
🚨 Maxim De Cuyper !! Brighton have camebacck from 2-0 !!!🏴 Manchester United 2-3 Brightonhttps://t.co/L6dB1poxmR
His impact extended to the League Cup, where he scored the winning goal in a 3-2 victory against Manchester United shortly after coming on as a substitute. Analysts at Sky Sports noted his ability to influence matches in short windows of time, while reporting from The Guardian highlighted that although he dribbles less than Mitoma, his efficiency in positioning and delivery provides a different, effective dimension to the Brighton attack.
The Gareth Bale comparison
The comparison to Gareth Bale has emerged as the latest development in De Cuyper’s rise. Scott McCarthy of WeAreBrighton noted that supporters have begun drawing parallels between the Belgian and the former Tottenham Hotspur star, who famously struggled as a defender before being moved further up the pitch, eventually securing a high-profile move to Real Madrid in 2013.
This sentiment has been echoed by other observers, including Ryan Adsett of Roundtable, who described the player as a “forward, not a left-back” following a recent goal against Sunderland. While Hürzeler has publicly praised the player’s “individual quality,” the debate continues regarding whether his long-term future lies in the defensive line or as a permanent fixture in the attacking third.
Next steps for the Brighton winger
Despite the praise, the player’s transition remains a subject of ongoing evaluation. Following a 4-3 defeat to Chelsea—a match in which he received a 6.00 rating—critics pointed to defensive lapses, questioning whether he provided sufficient cover for teammate Ferdi Kadioglu. Whether De Cuyper remains a permanent fixture in the forward line or returns to a more traditional defensive role depends on Hürzeler’s tactical adjustments as the Premier League season progresses.
