Why Alfonso Pedraza could be a smart signing for Brighton

According to reports in Spain, as replayed by Sussex Live, Brighton and Hove Albion are tracking Villarreal left-back Alfonso Pedraza, who previously spent time on loan at Leeds United in England.

Pedraza spent the previous campaign on loan at Real Betis and it has been reported that both the player and the club are keen to negotiate a permanent deal. However, Betis’ inability to meet Villarreal’s £8million asking price for the Spaniard has put a move on hold.

As per the source, several other Premier League clubs are also in the race to sign the 24-year-old, who has just one year remaining on his current contract with parent club Villarreal.

Profile

Born in San Sebastian, Spain, Pedraza rose through the youth ranks of Villarreal but has struggled to nail down a regular starting role in the first-team at his boyhood club. Instead, the versatile left-sided star has spent time on loan at Spanish second-tier outfit Lugo, Leeds United, Alaves, and Real Betis in the La Liga. 

Despite having a yo-yo career so far, the former Spanish U-21 international has managed to rack up some impressive numbers in the Spanish top-flight, registering 7 goals and 10 assists in 92 combined league outings for Villarreal, Alaves and Real Betis.

Essentially a left-back by trade, Pedraza is more than capable of playing as a wing-back in a back-three system while also boasting the necessary skill set to operate as a winger further up the pitch.

Brighton’s left-back conundrum

Brighton have made a positive start to the transfer window with the capture of free agent Adam Lallana, while they have also strengthened their backline with the addition of Joel Veltman from Ajax. 

Veltman’s arrival will surely hand a massive boost to Graham Potter’s team dynamics, given that the Dutch international has the versatility to operate both as a centre-back and as a right-back. However, the Seagulls now need to turn their focus to the left-back department, especially following the departure of Gaetan Bong to Nottingham Forest back in January.

Dan Burn, essentially a centre-back by trade, was deployed as the first-choice left-back by Potter during large quarters of the previous campaign, with Bernardo as his deputy. Burn looked solid defensively but hardly contributed to the attack, drawing a complete blank in terms of goals and assists.

Why Pedraza could be the solution

Suffice to say, Brighton need to bring in a specialist left-back with a proven track record of goals and assists. Pedraza’s numbers in the La Liga suggest that he could well be the man to answer Potter’s prayers.

Moreover, Potter has shown the tactical flexibility to rotate between back-three and back-four systems. Pedraza’s versatility to operate as a full-back and also as a wing-back could hand a boost to the manager’s squad dynamics.

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Verdict

Alfonso Pedraza got a taste of English football during his loan spell at Leeds United in the Championship a few years ago, something that increases the likelihood of him being able to make the step up to the Premier League.

He’s already got quite a lot of La Liga and Europa League experience under his belt, so that’s something Brighton need to be looking at as well. Still only 24, Pedraza has a lot of time to make significant improvements to his game and the touted fee of £8m could make him a massive bargain for the Seagulls.