Alious“He Gives Me Goosebumps” – Hurzeler Showers Praise on Ayari as Brighton’s Unexpected Hero Emerges Ahead of Newcastle Showdown
Brighton boss Fabian Hürzeler was visibly moved as he spoke about Yasin Ayari—an unheralded midfielder who’s become one of the club’s most reliable performers this season. The 20-year-old Swede has quietly risen from the fringes to play a central role in Brighton’s campaign, with 35 appearances in all competitions and 30 in the Premier League.
Ayari, who spent last season on loan at Blackburn and Coventry without making major waves, looked like an outsider when Brighton heavily bolstered their midfield with high-profile signings such as Matt O’Riley, Mats Wieffer, and Ferdi Kadioglu. But against all expectations, Ayari has cemented himself as a regular starter, recently scoring his first Premier League goal with a spectacular long-range strike in a 3-2 victory over West Ham.
Hürzeler’s admiration for Ayari runs deep. “I don’t know why, but every time I talk about Yasin, I get goosebumps,” he said ahead of Brighton’s trip to Newcastle. “If you work hard, if you have that inner drive, anything is possible—and Yasin embodies that.”
From the first day of preseason, Ayari approached training with unwavering intensity and commitment. Hürzeler highlighted not just his effort on the pitch but his attitude off it—staying late for extra training, demanding personal video analysis, and maintaining a relentless desire to improve. “I can’t recall a single session where he didn’t give everything,” Hürzeler remarked. “That kind of consistency over months, not just weeks, is what sets him apart.”
Injuries to several key midfielders forced Brighton to rely on less experienced players this season, and Ayari has responded with maturity and resilience well beyond his years. While Jack Hinshelwood had to cover at right-back and new signings struggled with fitness, Ayari offered much-needed stability in midfield.
Hürzeler believes Ayari’s story should serve as a blueprint for Brighton’s crop of emerging loan players, including Andrew Moran (Stoke), Julio Enciso (Ipswich), Evan Ferguson (West Ham), Facundo Buonanotte (Leicester), and Malick Yalcouyé (Sturm Graz). “He’s not just a success story,” Hürzeler said. “He’s a role model. If you have the right work ethic and mindset, you will get your chance in this team—and I will back you all the way.”
Ayari’s transformation from loan afterthought to midfield linchpin is a testament to character, not just talent. With Newcastle looming and Brighton still chasing a top-half finish, it’s clear Ayari has become one of the squad’s most indispensable players—and perhaps their most inspiring.
Alious
