BRIGHT ’N’ BEAUTIFUL
GROSS: Chelsea took We’re on our players, but we song after Athens are happy & growing ...now for the Blues
PASCAL GROSS knows more money doesn’t mean more happiness – as Brighton take on Chelsea in the Premier League’s newest grudge match.
Over the past 18 months Chelsea have handed the Seagulls over £200million – to secure Graham Potter and his coaching team, Marc Cucurella and Moises Caicedo – as part of a £1billion spending spree.
But Brighton still finished above the Blues last season to qualify for Europe for the first time.
And after reaching the Europa League knockout stages in midweek, they look down on today’s hosts from eighth place in the Premier League.
Chelsea have not beaten Brighton in the Prem since 2020 – and Roberto De Zerbi’s first win as Seagulls
boss ended predecessor Potter’s nine-match unbeaten start for the Londoners in October 2022.
There was even more schadenfreude on the South Coast when the Italian coach improved on Potter’s great work at the Amex Stadium – and the latter was sacked by the Blues after only 31 games.
Free-spending Chelsea against money-smart Brighton has now become a fiery fixture – and victory gives special pleasure to Albion fans.
German midfielder Gross said: “They have taken a lot of our players from us. They have more money than us, so they can do that. But that doesn’t matter on the pitch.
“Is Brighton a happier place than Chelsea? Brighton is a happy place. I don’t know about Chelsea – I’ve never been there, and I concentrate on my own club.
“Brighton is a good place to be. We are growing. We fight for each other and we have a lot of good people around here, and there are great times ahead.”
To add to the ex-factor, Billy Gilmour left Stamford Bridge in September 2022 after he was told he was surplus to requirements – and the Scotland midfielder became a flourishing Seagull.
Brighton’s chief executive Paul Barber, who has overseen the transition from the second tier to European contenders, said: “Chelsea have got a good squad and a fantastic coach in Mauricio Pochettino, plus they’ve spent a lot of money.
“They’re going to want to do well in any game, whether it is us or not. But there is that added little thing for the fans, because of what has happened over the past 18 months.”
James Milner (right) eased Brighton’s injury problems by coming off the bench in the 1-0 midweek win at AEK Athens which saw Albion qualify from a testing group.
“It’s tough playing every few days and it’s a new
STAMFORD BRIDGE, TODAY, 2PM
MILNER:
experience as a club but you want that success, don’t you?” said the former Manchester City and Liverpool star.
“We want to win every game, so Chelsea is a big one, coming off the back of winning in Athens.
“It’s so important we take that confidence into the weekend.”