Pascal Gross had another outstanding season for Albion.
As well as winning both our Player of the Year and Players’ Player awards he topped the club’s rankings for assists (10) and goal involvements (14) in the Premier League campaign, according to statistics provided by Opta.
His tally of 103 chances created was 65 more than any other Albion player while he is closing in on the record held by former Arsenal player Mesut Ozil for goal involvements by a German player. Ozil had 87 but Gross is now on 75 – with power to add next season.
Meanwhile, Opta statistics revealed that former head coach Roberto De Zerbi made 143 changes to Albion’s starting line-up last season, the most rotation by any team in the Premier League as Albion coped with the demands of competing in four competitions including their first Europa League campaign.
Indeed, on only two previous occasions has a side made more changes to their starting XI in Premier League history, courtesy of Manchester City in 2019-20 and Manchester United in 2013-14.
PL Average Starting Line-ups |
Season |
Changes |
Manchester City |
2020 |
144 |
Manchester United |
2014 |
144 |
Albion |
2024 |
143 |
Manchester United |
2009 |
140 |
Chelsea |
2023 |
139 |
Manchester City |
2021 |
136 |
Middlesbrough |
2006 |
136 |
Liverpool |
2018 |
135 |
Manchester United |
2013 |
135 |
Chelsea |
2021 |
133 |
However, seven sides in the Premier League used more players than Brighton throughout the 2023-24 season.
Premier League 2023-24 |
Players Used |
Sheffield United |
35 |
Nottingham Forest |
33 |
Chelsea |
32 |
Newcastle United |
32 |
Aston Villa |
31 |
Burnley |
31 |
Manchester United |
31 |
Albion |
30 |
Bournemouth |
30 |
Liverpool |
30 |
Youth was also high on the agenda for Albion in 2023-24, with players aged 21 or younger making 186 Premier League appearances combined, the third-most in a single season behind Arsenal in 2008-09 (215) and Manchester City in 2007-08 (204).
Premier League |
Season |
Under-21 appearances |
Arsenal |
2009 |
215 |
Manchester City |
2008 |
204 |
Albion |
2024 |
186 |
Leeds United |
2000 |
174 |
Manchester United |
1996 |
174 |
Stats of the season
Games played |
38 |
|
Goal attempts |
|
Rank |
Goals |
55 |
12th |
Ave. goals per game |
1.45 |
12th |
Shots (exc. blocked shots) |
394 |
7th |
% shots on target |
52.8 |
4th |
% goals to shots |
14 |
16th |
Headed goals |
11 |
7th |
Penalties |
6 |
7th |
Penalties scored |
5 |
7th |
Big chances created |
91 |
9th |
Big chance conversion |
33% |
18th |
Direct free kick goals |
0 |
9th |
Passing |
|
|
Total passes |
23547 |
2nd |
Pass completion |
89% |
2nd |
Crossing |
|
|
Total crosses |
671 |
9th |
Cross completion |
27% |
4th |
Defending |
|
|
Goals conceded |
62 |
10th |
Goals conceded per game |
1.63 |
10th |
Duels |
3560 |
18th |
Duels won |
50.6% |
10th |
Shots faced |
470 |
6th |
Discipline |
|
|
Fouls |
414 |
9th |
Yellow cards |
91 |
16th |
Second yellow |
0 |
1st |
Red cards |
3 |
17th |