Brighton have had a very mixed season. From consistent wins, to consistent losses... to the phrase 'consistently inconsistent' becoming a fan trend. It is safe to say those things remain true. 

What about the players who started the season, have featured in sparing moments, and also those expelled completely? 

To put it incredibly simply, what on earth happened to Matt O'Riley?! 

O'Riley was Albion's star of pre-season. Head coach Fabian Hürzeler relied on him more than anyone to maintain strong performances throughout last summer, and it was working. Scoring goals, creating chances, and overall looking incredibly promising. It felt like the £25 million signing from Celtic was finally making his impression at the club.

He has taken a long time to get going. Last season, he struggled to make a major impact, although he finished it strongly. With good memories like his last-minute winning goal against Manchester City at home on his debut, taking penalties at Tottenham away and looking ready to kick on.

O'Riley was even on penalty duty as the 2025/26 season came around, and it felt as though his place in the team was ready. 

Amidst an abundance of noise surrounding the likes of Yasin Ayari and Carlos Baleba at the time, made more apparent with the departures of Facundo Buonanotte and, later, Brajan Gruda, it seemed like O'Riley had his moment. 

Despite a relatively strong start to the season, he quickly appeared a shadow of the player that pre-season suggested. Lightweight in midfield, cheap in possession and overall in very 'droppable' form. 

He was reduced to the bench and, subsequently, offloaded to Marseille on loan before being recalled in the January window. Even former Brighton boss, Roberto De Zerbi, couldn't get the best out of him. Since his return to the club, he hasn't featured. Even with the likes of Baleba and Georginio Rutter being expelled from the starting 11. 

O'Riley's future doesn't seem to be at Brighton, but what even happened to get to this position in the first place?

Brajan Gruda was the man who Albion fans were loving this season. Shining in cup matches and became a fan favourite on away days despite not playing a great deal of games. 

His loan to RB Leipzig came as a great surprise in the winter window. Gruda had started most games leading up to this and was looking promising. A tricky winger, who shone with moments of brilliance at times. 

His game against Liverpool at the end of last season was his standout, even amongst the last-minute winning goal against Manchester City at the beginning of this season! When he was flowing, it felt like Anthony Knockaert had returned to the Amex. Gliding past players and pressing with high intensity. 

These types of players are rare breeds. They are exciting and technically gifted. Many times, they need an arm around them to help progress. Somewhat similar to a player like Buonanotte and Georginio, as mentioned before. Luxury items that have the potential to take over football matches.

When they are on their A game, everybody notices. When they are not, it feels like time wasted. The sad reality of football.

His potential was largely untapped at Brighton this season and last.

With many games feeling like it was the perfect opportunity for him to enter the pitch and take the game by the scruff of the neck.

Considering he was Hürzeler's "dream" signing when he took over, the £25 million man from Mainz has been largely forgotten about. It'll be intriguing to see how he progresses when he returns to the club, at only 21 years old.

Stefanos Tzimas took a long time to get going at the club. This is where, historically, Brighton have been one of the best in the world at raising young players. Giving them the time they need to be able to settle in.

Equally, Tzimas was another big-money signing. Another £25 million man coming over from Germany.

With limited sample sizes, he showed many moments of quality. Darting runs in behind and has a relatively good nature in front of goal without necessarily scoring. When he was first signed in January 2025, he was loaned back to Nürnberg, and left a gap in fans' minds for when to really feel like he was actually a Brighton player.

Tzimas scored his first goal against Nottingham Forest away at the City Ground back in November. A lucky bounce and poor goalkeeping, but he had to be there and make it happen. Without the run and determination to press into the box and put the goalkeeper under pressure, the goal doesn't happen. This win came at a time when it felt needed. Albion haven't had great times away from home this season, and it felt timely. The 7-0 monkey off the back, and Tzimas had finally arrived. 

Unfortunately, only a couple of weeks later, Tzimas ruptured his ACL in a 4-3 defeat to Aston Villa. A game where Albion initially held a 2-0 lead! The damage to the young striker's knee was enough to keep him out for the rest of the season, despite it being early December. Terrible luck, especially as he started that game very well, too. 

Hopefully, we see a return to full strength for our young Greek goalscorer next season.