Our picks

Graham Potter’s faith in this Brighton star has well and truly paid off – opinion

Graham Potter has been steadily keeping Brighton and Hove Albion away from the relegation zone but still under the radar of the top half of the table. It appears that after last season’s near relegation miss that panic on the South Coast has evaporated as they now have total and utter faith in the man in charge. Evidence of the outstanding job the English manager is doing with the Seagulls comes in the form of Alireza Jahanbakhsh’s reintroduction to the side.

The Iranian international arrived in England last season after a spectacular campaign in the Eredivisie with AZ Alkmaar. During his final season in the Netherlands, he scored 21 goals and provided 12 assists for the Cheeseheads, which enticed Brighton to part with £17.1m – their record transfer at the time. Though sadly last season things did not work out initially for the Iranian.

Jahanbakhsh failed to score or assist in 19 Premier League appearances, and it was beginning to appear he was not cut out to make the transition to the English topflight. Then after making a single substitute appearance this season, Potter pulled the winger out of the cold and into the first team. The result was spectacular, after three minutes against Bournemouth he hammered in a long-range drive to open the scoring and his Premier League account. The goal prompted tears from the Iranian who could barely believe what he had just achieved.

The following fixture, 1-0 down to Chelsea, Jahanbakhsh was introduced from the bench and again made a memorable impact on proceedings. With the clock dwindling to six minutes remaining, the Iranian produced an almighty leap with his back to goal from Lewis Dunk’s knockdown and propelled a bicycle kick past Kepa Arizabalaga into the Chelsea goal. It was a stunning equaliser that ensured the Seagulls shared the points.

In truth, it was a bold selection for Potter to reintroduce Jahanbakhsh back into proceedings, but it has paid off spectacularly. It may have initially been done out of desperation due to the congested fixture list, but to bring him on against Chelsea was a stroke of genius. After a long wait, the Iranian is up and running in the Premier League and could be like a new signing if his excellent form for Brighton continues.

90MAAT News Now

Premier League Table

90MAAT Social Media

ScoopDragon Football News Network

Search The Site