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Brighton head coach Fabian Hürzeler believes Kaoru Mitoma can give his side a decisive advantage against Sunderland, even though it remains uncertain whether the Japan international will start at the Amex Stadium.
Mitoma’s involvement from the outset is still being assessed, with Hürzeler relying heavily on guidance from the club’s medical team. The winger is continuing his comeback after an ankle injury, and Brighton are keen to manage his minutes carefully to avoid any setback.
Regardless of whether Mitoma begins on the bench or in the starting XI, Hürzeler is convinced his presence can significantly influence the game. When Mitoma came on for the final 30 minutes against Liverpool at Anfield last weekend, the Reds immediately committed extra defensive resources to stopping him, often doubling up to prevent one-on-one situations.
According to Hürzeler, this reaction from opponents highlights Mitoma’s value beyond goals and assists. His dribbling ability and attacking threat force defenders to focus on him, which in turn opens up space elsewhere on the pitch for Brighton to exploit.
Hürzeler explained that Mitoma’s individual quality causes major problems for defenders, as most teams are reluctant to leave him isolated against a single marker. The need to send an additional player his way effectively frees up a Brighton teammate in another area, and the challenge then becomes identifying and using that spare man effectively. For Hürzeler, this tactical impact is one of Mitoma’s biggest contributions.
The Brighton boss also stressed that goals remain a crucial part of the equation. Like any top side, Brighton depend on their leading players to deliver consistently, and Mitoma is firmly among that group. His influence, Hürzeler said, is therefore “massive” to the team’s overall performance.
Mitoma himself admitted he is still short of peak condition following his return against Liverpool. After not playing for two and a half months, he appeared fatigued during the closing stages, an understandable outcome given the long layoff caused by injury.
Brighton are also monitoring the fitness of Max De Cuyper, who missed the Liverpool match after a minor issue disrupted his preparation earlier in the week.
Hürzeler acknowledged that team selection is the result of ongoing discussions with the medical staff, balancing what is best for the player with the need to minimise the risk of further injury. A final decision on Mitoma’s role will be made close to kick-off.
When asked directly whether the winger could start against Sunderland, Hürzeler confirmed that Mitoma is a genuine option from the beginning, but stopped short of guaranteeing his inclusion.
If Mitoma does feature, it will mark his first appearance at the Amex in three months. His last home outing came in the 2–2 draw with Tottenham, and Brighton supporters will be hoping his return can provide the cutting edge needed once again.
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