Ayari: Brighton's Magic Midfielder & Why He's So Valuable

At 9:33 on the 28th of October, Yasin Ayari missed the chance to send Brighton ahead on penalties, away at Manchester City. The Seagulls would go on to lose, being dumped out in the last 16 of the Carabao Cup for the fifth time in six years.

A mere 65 hours and 38 minutes later, Ayari was on the pitch at the Etihad again. Following a deep, low cross from Diego Gomez, the ball ricocheted off Maxim De Cuyper and into the path of an unmarked Ayari.

In an unbelievable arc of redemption, Ayari swept the ball into the bottom right-hand corner – the exact same position in which his penalty was saved less than three days earlier.

Ayari has developed into one of Brighton’s most valuable players over the past few seasons. He once struggled for regular game time at Coventry and Blackburn on loan. Instead of crumbling – he impressed many and has since become an established Premier League midfielder.

The best part of Ayari’s game is, like that of many Albion players, his desire and unreal work rate. This aspect of his game has shone through under Fabian Hurzeler and fits in with the team’s mentality perfectly. The current Brighton team don’t seem to know when they’re beaten, which complements Ayari’s best attribute beautifully.

He’s also remarkably fearless. Ayari isn’t afraid to make a mistake and will occasionally shoot from range or try a risky pass. On his Brighton debut, he almost made an instant impact by throwing himself at a cross – attempting a bicycle kick. Many young players would not dream of attempting a bicycle kick with their first touch, but fear simply isn’t a part of his game.

On a more technical note, Ayari’s performances have been exceptional playing in behind Babis Kostoulas. The Swede tends to play as the most advanced of the midfield three, regularly being paired with Chema Andres and Pascal Gross.

Ayari offers an extra option when the team pushes forward, using his physicality to win the ball high up the pitch. His sharp eye for goal has also shone through this season, scoring three goals from 1.97 xG.

Ayari’s goal catalogue is also quite remarkable. There’s a range of finishes, spanning from long-range curlers to cool, composed efforts. His goal against Spurs last season is a perfect representation of his technical ability.

Intercepting a careless clearance from Lucas Bergvall, Ayari took a touch with his left and instantly looked towards the Spurs goal. He then let a swirling, dipping ball fly past a helpless Vicario from 25 yards out.

His most recent home goal is a great example of his close-range goals, showcasing his instinct and calmness under pressure. As Albion sprung into action, Ayari began running forward in search of Brighton’s third goal within ten minutes. After some terrific holdup play from Babis Kostoulas, Ayari sensed his opportunity. He sprinted into the box and swept the ball past a helpless Walter Benitez – sending the Brighton fans crazy.

Ayari is an unbelievably important cog in Brighton’s overall machine. Often underappreciated, he offers so much to help bring the team together as well as being capable of something special. He’s part of the spine of the team, an ever-present in Brighton’s matchday squad. So, with just over half a year left on his contract – Brighton need to try everything they can to keep him around.