Alireza Jahanbakhsh (Getty Images)
According to Belfast Telegraph, Brighton and Hove Albion are set to decide upon the future of Alireza Jahanbakhsh in the summer. The Iranian still has three more years left in his contract with the club.
Jahanbakhsh, 26, came through the ranks of Damash Galin in his homeland and played for clubs like Nijmegen and AZ Alkmaar in the Netherlands. He was impressive in his three seasons with the latter club and made 111 appearances for them, scoring 37 goals and providing 31 assists. he has also been a regular member of the Iran national team since making his debut in 2013.
He was then signed by the Seagulls in the summer of 2018 but has not been at his best in the last two campaigns. He has fallen down the pecking order under Graham Potter and has made just 9 appearances in the league so far.
At the moment, only three natural wingers are available at Potter’s disposal. The three of them are Leandro Trossard, Jose Izquierdo and Jahanbakhsh. Of the three, only Trossard has been a regular starter and has contributed with 5 goals and 4 assists for the team, which has scored just 39 goals in 38 league games.
Izquierdo hasn’t featured in a single game this season for the Seagulls and has just one more year left in his contract with the club. Apart from them, only Jahanbakhsh is available. Thus, keeping hold of the Iranian would be a wise decision by the club.
The 26-year-old may not have featured regularly but he is capable of improving with game time and the manager should take a chance with him. He has scored some important goals this season, including the one against Chelsea in January which helped them take a point from the game.
Keeping him would also help Brighton in maintaining the depth in the squad. And if they decide to sell him, they would find it difficult to replace the former Alkmaar man with another winger, especially in this time of financial crisis amidst the pandemic.
At 26, he has a few more years to play at a high level and Potter should manage to get the best out of him by handing him regular opportunities. He would be able to provide them with some much-needed quality in the squad and could be crucial if he is able to get back to his best form.
