Brighton & Hove Albion

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Deputy Chairman Paul Barber and head coach Fabian Hurzeler answered questions from a live audience at the Amex Stadium on Thursday.

Over the course of Friday, BBC Sport will bring you some of the key questions put to them and their subsequent answers in a series of posts.

Fan question: We've had quite a good window for incomings, but we have also lost Danny Welbeck. There's mixed views and opinions on why he's left, and if it was the right decision. Can you clarify the situation and the club's angle on it?

Barber replied: Danny has been a fantastic servant for the club with over 200 games and 50 goals. He is a great character to have around, on and off the field, but he is 36 in a couple of months. Sadly, he can't go on forever and, in those situations, we're very honest about where we see their future.

In Danny's case, we didn't see him playing as many minutes this year, or as many as he'd have liked. We've got younger players that are ready to come in and play.

We were very happy for Danny to stay. We weren't pushing him in any particular direction, but when a big club comes in for you at 36, and offers you nearly double in terms of time you have on the table, then you have to look at it very seriously.

We couldn't and wouldn't stand in the way of a senior player who had an offer we couldn't match.

We understand the emotion behind it, and we are all emotional because Danny is fantastic and has been for six years, but we also have to look at it pragmatically with a business eye.

If we had started Danny for the first four or five games and his body broke down, there would be people saying relying on a 36-year-old is ridiculous and that we should've thought about it. We have, and Danny did, and we came to the conclusion that we think is right for both sides.

We wish him all the best - just not for two games this season!

Listen to the fans' forum in full on BBC Sounds here

Come back to this Brighton page throughout Friday to find more questions and answers

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With the 2026-27 season just over two weeks away, all teams are preparing for another exciting nine months ahead and Brighton are no different.

Fans may be wondering about new signings, competing in Europe or the direction the club and its supporters are heading in. What better then than the chance to put such queries to two influential figures?

Deputy Chairman Paul Barber and head coach Fabian Hurzeler will be taking questions live from an audience at the American Express Community Stadium from 19:00 BST on Thursday 6th August. You can listen to it all on BBC Radio Sussex and BBC Sounds.

Listen Live here

On the latest Albion Unlimited podcast, BBC Radio Sussex's Johnny Cantor is joined by former Brighton forward Warren Aspinall as they discuss the Seagulls' possible opponents in the Conference League play-off tie.

Brighton will face CFR Cluj (Romania) or Tromso (Norway) in the key fixture.

Cluj and Tromso are yet to face each other in their two-legged tie, but Cantor believes Tromso could pose a "potential banana skin" for Fabian Hurzeler's side.

"They are placed third in the Norwegian season, which is deep into the campaign as they play across the summer," said Cantor.

In Tromso's Norwegian Eliteserien campaign, they have lost two out of 16 possible games.

In the Romanian SuperLiga, Cluj are also in fourth position, but they have only played three games in the 2026-27 campaign.

Cluj and Tromso's second leg tie will be played on 13 August, with the winner facing Brighton in a two-legged tie on 20 and 27 August, with the Seagulls at home for the second leg.

Listen to the Albion Unlimited podcast below or on BBC Sounds here - and don't forget to subscribe to get each episode into your My Sounds feed.

Explore all Brighton content on BBC Sounds

Listen to every Brighton game live on BBC Radio Sussex, with all the build-up and full commentary with Johnny Cantor and Warren Aspinall, and there is a full preview of all Seagulls' matches on Fridays at 18:00 in The Weekend Warm-up

Katharine Sharpe and Simon Casson
BBC Sport senior journalists

The 2025-26 Premier League and Championship seasons included the introduction of squad-cost ratio rules on a shadow basis, testing to see how a spending cap for squad costs set at a percentage of a club's total revenues might work.

These SCR regulations have now been permanently implemented for the 2026-27 season, replacing previous profit and sustainability rules (PSR).

Uefa has a 70% SCR cap for European competitions, so Premier League clubs who qualified for Europe fall in line with this limit.

Clubs who did not qualify for Europe, and so are only taking part in domestic competitions, are capped at 85% of their total revenue.

However, clubs can spend above the 85% limit by using a multi-year rolling allowance of 30%. This allows them to invest ahead of revenue and variance or sporting underperformance.

Every club will start this coming season on 85% + 30% allowance, so effectively 115%.

If a club spends 105% on their squad in 2026-27, it means they have used 20% of their allowance, and for 2027-28 their maximum spend before potential sporting sanction is 95%.

If a club spend less than 85%, they can increase the allowance again to the maximum of 30%.

Spending above 85% but under the allowance results in a financial penalty, whereas going over both the 85% and the allowance will land the club a fixed six-point deduction which increases by one point for every £6.5m spent over the 115%.

'Anchoring' was also trialled in 2025-26, which meant any club's spending could not exceed a multiple of income earned by the bottom-placed club - however this was rejected at a vote of Premier League clubs.

SCR was approved by a vote of 14 clubs to six, and was introduced alongside sustainability and systemic resilience (SSR) regulations.

SSR involves three tests that are applied throughout the season:

Working capital test - assesses short-term cash resources

Liquidity test - assesses medium-term liquidity and resilience

Positive equity test -assesses long-term financial health

The aim of the SCR and SSR regulations is to stop the richest owners providing endless funds to their clubs to sign new players, as any money injected this way does not count as seasonal revenue.

They will also aim to prevent clubs from overspending and accruing unmanageable losses.

Read more about the rules here

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On the latest Albion Unlimited podcast, BBC Radio Sussex's Johnny Cantor is joined by former Seagulls forward Warren Aspinall as they discuss Danny Welbeck's decision to join Chelsea.

Aspinall said he was "gutted" to see Welbeck leave Brighton after the 35-year-old spent over five years at the club.

"We are not just losing a great player on the pitch. We are losing a great player in the dressing room. That is why Chelsea have gone for him," said Aspinall.

"Yes, he is a bit-part player, but he knows that. It seems to me he has been promised things, and when he reported back for pre-season they have taken it away from him."

Since Fabian Hurzeler's arrival at Brighton in June 2024 - Welbeck has been a prominent figure in the Seagulls camp.

Overall, the former Manchester United forward scored 46 goals in 176 league games for Albion.

Although Hurzeler has said he was "sad" to see Welbeck leave the club, Cantor believes this gives an opportunity for Brighton's youth to claim a leadership role.

He said: "It is great to have James Milner, Welbeck, Lewis Dunk and Pascal Gross in there too. But, there is that thought that until they leave, younger players cannot take on the role as leaders."

Listen below or on BBC Sounds here - and don't forget to subscribe to get each episode into your My Sounds feed.

Explore all Brighton content on BBC Sounds

Listen to every Brighton game live on BBC Radio Sussex, with all the build-up and full commentary with Johnny Cantor and Warren Aspinall, and there is a full preview of all Seagulls' matches on Fridays at 18:00 in The Weekend Warm-up

It's always an exciting time for fans as the season begins and there is no shortage of talking points when it comes to Brighton and Hove Albion.

Whether it is high profile departures, exciting new arrivals, a first ever Conference League campaign or planned changes to the stadium, supporters will get a chance to pose questions to the people that run their club.

Deputy Chairman Paul Barber and Head Coach Fabian Hurzeler will be taking questions live from an audience at the American Express Community Stadium from 19:00 BST on Thursday 6th August on BBC Radio Sussex and BBC Sounds.

Listen Live here

Subscribe to the Albion Unlimited podcast on BBC Sounds

Albion Unlimited has dropped.

The team at BBC Radio Sussex have put a new episode out as things get serious deep into pre-season.

Tune in as Johnny Cantor and Warren Aspinall discuss Danny Welbeck's controversial move to Chelsea and analyse the Seagulls' possible opponents in the Conference League playoffs.

Listen below or on BBC Sounds here - and don't forget to subscribe to get each episode into your My Sounds feed.

Explore all Brighton content on BBC Sounds

Listen to every Brighton game live on BBC Radio Sussex, with all the build-up and full commentary with Johnny Cantor and Warren Aspinall, and there is a full preview of all Seagulls' matches on Fridays at 18:00 in The Weekend Warm-up

Michael Emons
BBC Sport journalist

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Brighton have established a reputation for finding exciting young talent and Seagulls fans will be hoping they have done it again with the purchase of 19-year-old Nigerian right-winger Zadok Yohanna.

The club agreed a £21.5m deal to sign Yohanna from Swedish club AIK Stockholm, where he scored five goals and provided four assists in 18 appearances.

Former Brighton midfielder Warren Aspinall, speaking on the Albion Unlimited podcast, felt the club's fans had every reason to be optimistic.

"It's a little bit of a scalp because two other big clubs in England were chasing him in Chelsea and Newcastle, so they got ahead of them which is very good," said Aspinall.

"It might be the right price and the going rate for an up-and-coming, good player.

"Have we got another diamond to polish up? That's what we're looking for - these rough diamonds to polish up and sell on for big money."

Read more on youngsters to watch at each Premier League club this season

Should a club build a new stadium or upgrade its current home in a bid to maintain some history? How significant is a new ground in terms of revenue generated? Will it move the needle?

BBC Sport has worked with football finance expert Kieran Maguire to consider the impact a new home has.

Take a look at your club's matchday revenue figures from 2024-25 below and get the full article here.

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Brighton will play CFR Cluj (Romania) or Tromso (Norway) in the Uefa Conference League play-off.

The two-legged tie will take place on 20 and 27 August, with the Seagulls at home for the second leg.

If Brighton win, they will progress to the league phase, with the draw for that taking place on Friday, 28 August.

From there, it is knockout football, with the final taking place at Istanbul's Besiktas Park on 2 June 2027.

League phase games will be played:

15 October 2026

22 October 2026

5 November 2026

26 November 2026

10 December 2026

17 December 2026

Knockout games will be played:

Knockout phase play-offs - 18 and 25 February 2027

Round of 16 - 11 and 18 March 2027

Quarter-finals - 8 and 15 April 2027

Semi-finals - 29 April and 6 May 2027

Final - 2 June 2027

Brighton have agreed a fee to sign Scottish winger Mason Stephens from Manchester City, with the 17-year-old expected to pen a three-year contract. (The Secret Scout on X), external

Rangers have held discussions with Brighton over English winger Amario Cozier-Duberry, but the Premier League club are in no rush to part with the winger after rejecting a £5m offer from Anderlecht. (Daily Record), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Monday's full gossip column

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Danny Welbeck has posted a farewell message on X, external to Brighton fans after joining Chelsea.

Welbeck scored a career-high 13 league goals in 37 games for the Seagulls last season, with only three English players scoring more in the Premier League.

He wrote on X: "Seagulls.

"This club very quickly became my home when I came here six years ago. Since then I've always tried to play with the same passion, support and love you showed me the minute I stepped through the door.

"The journey we've had together is one that will bond me to this club forever.

"Goals, moments and celebrations are all things I'll look back on with pride at Brighton, but what will stick forever is the support you gave me, my family and friends, on and off the pitch.

"Thank you for everything Seagulls. Up the Albion.

"Welbz."

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Brighton scored all of their goals from set pieces as they fought back from 2-0 down to clinch a 4-3 win against Strasbourg to wrap up their week-long training camp in Austria.

The Ligue 1 side went two goals up inside the first 14 minutes thanks to Martial Godo and Samuel Amo-Ameyaw, before the Seagulls hit back with two goals in six minutes.

Pascal Gross needed a second bite at the cherry to convert his penalty, before assisting team-mate Olivier Boscagli from a free-kick for an important equaliser.

Brighton substitute Eiran Cashin, who has returned from his loan spell at Championship side Blackburn Rovers, headed in from a corner early in the second half to complete the comeback for Fabian Hurzeler's side.

"We took it a little bit too easy in the first minutes," Hurzeler said. "We weren't that intense but, after we went 2-0 down, we showed resilience and reacted well.

"We were good in possession, but out of possession we definitely have to improve the little details. It was a good test in the end."

The clubs agreed to play an additional 30 minutes at the end of the usual 90-minute behind closed doors fixture to give the players more game time.

Plenty more action ensued, with 21-year-old Ibrahim Osman converting a penalty for Brighton's fourth goal of the afternoon and Ghianny Kodia heading in for Strasbourg's third goal late on.

"It is very important that we are strong on set pieces, but of course we also want to have our own identity on the pitch as well and that is playing intense football," Hurzeler added.

"My message to the boys is to keeping working hard, I think that is the main bit. I was really pleased with how they worked this past week."

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"It is always sad to see a player and a person of his stature leave," says Brighton head coach Fabian Hurzeler following the announcement of Danny Welbeck's move to Chelsea.

The 35-year-old forward, who joined the Seagulls on a free transfer in October 2020, went on to make 201 appearances in all competitions - scoring 51 goals and contributing 18 assists.

"We are all sorry to see him go," Hurzeler said. "He has been a pleasure to work with from the moment I arrived at the club.

"His professionalism, attitude and commitment set the standard here every day - and he has been a fantastic support to me, personally.

"As well as the quality he brought on the pitch, he was an important leader within the squad and a role model for our younger players.

"We are grateful for everything he has done for the club and we wish him all the very best for the future."

Brighton chairman Tony Bloom added: "He has made an incredible contribution during his six years with the club.

"His performances, goals and experience played a key role in some of the most important moments in our recent history.

"I would like to thank him for his outstanding service and I wish him every success in the next chapter of his career."

Welbeck leaves Amex Stadium as the club's leading top-flight goalscorer, having helped Brighton achieve their highest-ever Premier League finish in 2022-2023 and having twice secured European football for the club.

Coventry City have agreed a club record deal worth an initial £22.5m deal to sign English goalkeeper Carl Rushworth, 25, from Brighton. (Telegraph - subscription required), external

Rangers are interested in Coventry City winger Jahnoah Markelo, with Brighton's Amario Cozier-Duberry still a player of interest. (Rangers Review - subscription required), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

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Video assistant referees should only be used to change "blatantly incorrect" decisions and clear missed incidents, say European refereeing officials.

Chief refereeing officers from all 55 European national football associations met last week with Uefa refereeing officials and a representative from the International Football Association Board (Ifab) to address recent changes to the game's laws.

Attendees said "lengthy, microscoping reviews" indicate VAR has gone beyond its original scope.

When VAR was added to the laws of the game in 2018 by football's rulemakers Ifab, its "philosophy" was "minimum interference - maximum benefit", with the intention of reducing "unfairness caused by clear and obvious errors or serious missed incidents" relating to goals, penalties, direct red cards and mistaken identity.

Uefa said that at its recent meeting that refereeing bosses agreed a return to those original aims is needed.

"It was reiterated that, in accordance with protocol, VAR must only intervene in situations of 'clear and obvious' error, ie. when a referee decision is blatantly incorrect or when the referee has missed a clear incident," Uefa said in a statement.

"VAR is not meant to re-referee the game, it is an essential support to the referees, who must remain at the centre of all decision-making.

"Lengthy, microscoping reviews are often a symptom revealing that the decision on the field was not clearly and obviously incorrect, and should therefore be limited."

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We asked for your views on how Danny Welbeck's linked move to Chelsea has left you feeling and whether Brighton would regret selling their key forward.

Here are some of your comments:

Paul: A big blow, but, for the player, l understand his desire for one last move. I'd like to see a deal as a swap or loan for Liam Delap, who I think would fit in well at Brighton.

Bob: Chelsea are raiding us once again. Maybe we should just move to west London to make things easier for them. I can't blame him for wanting to finish his career with a decent pay rise but I'm worried about a replacement number nine. Just make them pay through the nose.

Raymond: I hoped Danny's future would be with the Seagulls as a player and coach. But if this is the right move for him, in many ways I wish him good luck and bon voyage. However, as we are spending more on higher transfers, we must look to our future and keep the talented players.

Pai: Sick and tired of Chelsea poaching our players. They should learn from Tony Bloom's plan and stop using us as a feeder club. If we want to be in the top six, we need to learn to say no.

David: As Danny is nearing the end of his playing career, it is essential he makes the most of his limited time left. A move to Chelsea would be financially beneficial and therefore understandable. A brilliant player for us, difficult to replace and if he goes, he does so with our best wishes and thanks.

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Another transfer window possibly means more business between Chelsea and Brighton.

In the past few seasons, the Blues have signed players including Robert Sanchez, Moises Caicedo and Marc Cucurella from the Seagulls - as well as manager Graham Potter and other coaches - but now Chelsea's attention is firmly on Danny Welbeck.

The 35-year-old only missed one Premier League game last season, and he had his best goalscoring season under Fabian Hurzeler in the league - scoring 13.

How has this news left you feeling? Do you think Brighton would regret selling their key forward to Chelsea?

Get in touch with your views here

Sevilla are willing to sell Ruben Vargas, 22, for 20m euros (£17m) with Brighton, Newcastle and Aston Villa among Premier League clubs interested in the 27-year-old Switzerland winger. (Mundo Deportivo - in Spanish), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

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