Brighton Women have not had the best start to the season by picking up only six points. The Seagulls have drawn three games and lost the other 4. Hope Powell’s side picked up their first win at against Birmingham City two weeks ago and drew last week to Reading. They lost to Manchester United last Sunday and face Manchester City today.
Brighton’s Chairman recently announced the new funding going into their women’s facilities. Tony Bloom announced that he’s putting 25 million pounds forward and a chunk of that is going to be invested in the building the Women’s new training centre. Furthermore, Brighton had try-outs in May for development Women squads which is a huge step forward. They now have an Under 16s and an Under 20s team. Bloom has revealed huge expectations as he wants the first team to be a regular top 4 finisher in the Barclay’s Women’s Super League, which was rebranded at the start of this season as Barclay’s signed a new three-year deal to help Women’s football prosper.
Brighton’s defence is a good talking point to start with. In the summer they brought in Matilde Lundorf Skovsen, 20, who is appearing to be a good signing for the side. She is quick down the wing and good at tracking back. She defends physically and has picked up two yellow cards this season at a vital time. This summer, Albion also signed Danique Kerkdijk who’s 20. She hasn’t had many starts but she plays skillfully and trains hard. Ellie Hack is 17 and she’s the youngest in the squad. She made her debut this season in the league against Manchester City. She played for England’s Under 17s and scored 2 goals in 12 appearances. Beth Roe is yet to make her mark yet but at 20, she has plenty of time.
In Goal, Brighton has youthful prospects in Laura Hartley. She’s 18 and she made her debut against the London Bees in 2018 despite not getting a clean sheet in the 1-0 loss, she was lively.
In Midfield, Brighton has good youth in Nildén and Le Tissier. Amanda Nildén is 21 and she joined the club in 2018. She tried out when her partner to moved to the club in 2015. Nildén plays skillfully and has impressed lots of fans with her committed work ethic. She has represented Sweden at Under 17 level, Under 19 level and Under 23 level. Maya Le Tissier is 17 and is one of the youngest in the first team. She is a midfielder who’s very committed to her sports. She plays not only football but rugby. She has great potential, she’s tall and physical but she’s quick too. Her vision for a final ball is talented and is the kind you can’t teach. Le Tissier has captained the England Under 15s and England Under 17s. She’s currently in the Under 18s squad and looks to be one for the future as she’s already maintaining consistent first-team football. Jodie Brett is 23 and has won titles with Chelsea. She went on loan to Bristol City and was a part of the promotion-winning campaign in 2016. She captained England at the Under 19 World Cup and has represented up until the Under 23 level.
In strikers, they have Ellie Brazil. The 20-year-old has represented England at Under 15, Under 17, Under 19 and Under 20 level. She appears to be promising as she scored 6 goals in 23 appearances last season and she is looking to get more this season. Megan Connolly is 22 and another talented player. She plays for the Republic of Ireland and has represented them from the Under 15 level to the senior side. She’s made 4 appearances and scored 1 goal for the first team this season.
Brighton has a successful youth team with a few academy products coming through the ranks. Brighton has taken a good interest in the women and they look to extend their vision and get to the Champions League after Bloom said: “Why not aim for the top?”. Lots of the Brighton Youth girls play for England’s development squads which is a sign that Brighton are doing something right with a lot of their youth going to play for the first team or other teams.
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