Paul Merson has lauded Brighton and Hove Albion for their capture of Ansu Fati after the Barcelona star seemingly snubbed Tottenham Hotspur.
Leading up to transfer deadline day, things became chaotic regarding Ansu Fati’s future, with two leading Premier League clubs trying to secure the talents of the versatile forward – Tottenham and Brighton.
At one point, Spurs thought they had their man and a deal was struck, but that’s where Brighton swooped in and managed to land the 20-year-old’s signature on a season-long loan deal.
Merson thinks it’s a ‘compliment’ to the high-flying Seagulls that they have signed such a promising player from one of the biggest clubs in the world, as he told Deadline Day on Sky Sports (01/09/23 at 2:25 pm).
Yes, Fati’s game has fallen off in recent times after breaking through as a teenager on the highly-pressured cooker stage of Barcelona, but the talent is still there, it’s a case of unlocking it once more.
In truth, both Ange Postecoglou and Roberto De Zerbi have the capabilities to bring Fati’s game back to life, but it’s going to be the latter who will get to work with the Spanish star, with Merson loving the deal.
“It’s a compliment to Brighton, especially the way they play,” said Merson. “They do it year in and year out. The players that they recruit.
“I like what Brighton do. They are good. They play total football. I think he (Fati) will fit in. Barcelona play football and he will do exactly the same at Brighton.
“He has played for Barcelona and has played with very good players. I am sure he will be singing off the same hymn sheet as the Brighton players, as he did with the ones at Barcelona.”
Mixed deadline day for Tottenham
Tottenham added to their forward line on transfer deadline day by signing Brennan Johnson from Nottingham Forest.
It’s another weapon added to Postecoglou’s bow, but that’s where the smiles are wiped off the supporters’ faces.
The biggest issue with Spurs on deadline day was the club’s inability to get rid of deadwood from Eric Dier, Davinson Sanchez, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Hugo Lloris, Ben Davies and Tanguy Ndombele, to name a few.
It seems as though, a host of those names staying on board also resulted in the club struggling to bulk up their squad even further.
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