Brighton Opinion: Gaetan Bong’s new deal will certainly be a big boost for the Seagulls
According to BBC, Gaetan Bong has signed a new one-year deal with Brighton and Hove Albion, which should keep him at the Amex Stadium until the summer of 2020.
The 16-cap Cameroonian international joined Brighton in the Championship on a free transfer from Wigan Athletic back in 2015 and played a key role in the Seagulls’ promotion-winning campaign in 2017.
The 31-year-old has made a total of 95 appearances for Brighton in all competitions and has accumulated a total of 6 assists, though he is still waiting for his first goal.
Pretty much a regular starter for Brighton under Chris Hughton this season, Bong has made 22 appearances in the Premier League for the Seagulls at his preferred left-back position.
The 31-year-old has faced stiff competition from Brazilian Bernardo for a starting role in the first team but he has played his part reasonably well, though one would expect Bernardo to displace him as the first-choice next season following a string of impressive displays.
Bong has been a part of the club’s journey from the Championship to the Premier League.
Chris Hughton has hailed him as an inspirational figure on and off the pitch and as someone who always gives his hundred per cent for the team, while also showing plenty of commitment on the training ground. (h/t BBC)
Although they weren’t seen as serious relegation contenders at the start of the season, a poor run of form has put their Premier League status on the line.
And that is exactly the reason why retaining the services of an experienced customer like Bong should be looked upon as a masterstroke by Hughton.
The manager himself has come under scrutiny for the team’s lacklustre displays and the charismatic presence of Bong should help ease some of the tension among the players in the dressing room, as Brighton hope to stay alive in the Premier League.
Well, Bong hasn’t come up with anything awe-inspiring this season but he is still an important part of Hughton’s plans. The Seagulls have had little luck with their big-money signings in recent times, with the likes of Alireza Jahanbakhsh and Jurgen Locadia not living up to the expectations.
They will need to find alternatives to Glenn Murray in the attack, while a replacement for the retiring Bruno at right-back should also be high on the manager’s wishlist.
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Hence, it is quite clear that the former Valenciennes and Olympiacos man can save Brighton a fortune in the summer transfer window and it is a no-brainer that they have done themselves a world of good by keeping the 31-year-old on their payroll for yet another season.
