Reports linking Premier League champions Manchester City with a summer move for Julio Enciso are merely an ‘occupational hazard’ as far as Brighton and Hove Albion are concerned.
That is the assessment of Paul Barber; the Seagulls CEO speaking to Football Ramble as another of his exciting crop of young talent forces his way into the gossip columns.
Brighton have already lost the likes of Yves Bissouma, Marc Cucurella, Leandro Trossard and Ben White to rival Premier League clubs, with Julio Enciso’s staggering emergence now catching the eye of Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City at a time in which Liverpool close in on fellow South American Alexis Mac Allister
Brighton, you could argue, are at risk of becoming a victim of their own success.
Not that you’ll find Barber complaining; interest from the likes of Man City, Arsenal and Tottenham in the club’s top talent a testament to the sterling work done by one of European football’s finest recruitment teams.
Manchester City like Brighton’s Julio Enciso
“It is an occupational hazard. It’s a consequence of doing well,” Barber says when Man City’s interest in Enciso is brought up.
“As always, we are very proud of the players when they achieve things like that. But we also have a slight sense of dread that it just raises the profile even further, and all that comes with that. But that’s part and parcel of the game. Its something we have to manage.”
According to The Mirror, Guardiola is a ‘huge’ fan of 19-year-old Enciso. The Paraguay international justified Man City’s interest earlier in the month too, locating the top corner of Stefan Ortega’s goal with a rocket of a shot reminiscent of his winner away at Chelsea.
Some way to repay Brighton’s faith; the Seagulls investing £9.5 million in a then-18-year-old Enciso less than 12 months ago.
“Julio Enciso is a great example of all of that. We’ve looked at data, we’ve looked at scouting, we’ve looked at his profile, we’ve moved him across the world and helped him adapt to England,” Barber adds.
“He’s adapted well himself. But he’s had moments when he’s been really good, and moments when he’s struggled a little bit.
“All of that is a very complex process of managing a young athlete to reach their full potential.”
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