Brighton and Hove Albion’s summer signing Maxim de Cuyper has been labelled “practically the best left-back in the world” by leading Belgian commentator Frank Raes.
The 23-year-old joined the Seagulls in a €20m deal from Club Brugge to replace Pervis Estupiñán, who moved to AC Milan. While his start to Premier League life has been steady rather than spectacular, de Cuyper’s international exploits for Belgium have lit up headlines back home.
On Friday, he scored and assisted in a 6-0 demolition of Liechtenstein, continuing a run of three goals and two assists in his last four international appearances. Those numbers have strengthened his reputation as one of Europe’s most attacking full-backs.
So, has Brighton unearthed another bargain destined to explode in the Premier League spotlight?
Frank Raes on De Cuyper
“If he’s given space to attack, he’s practically the best left back in the world. Dribbling, picking up speed, shooting, heading — he can do it all.” — Frank Raes, via Voetbalkrant
Raes’ verdict echoes a growing belief in Belgium: de Cuyper is a complete modern full-back. Comfortable overlapping, cutting inside, and arriving in the box, his skillset is exactly what Brighton targeted to replace Estupiñán.
Why Brighton Signed Him
Brighton moved quickly to secure de Cuyper this summer, knowing his numbers at Club Brugge would attract competition. With nine goals and 22 assists in 114 games, he’d already shown he can influence games from deep.
The Seagulls’ data-driven recruitment flagged him as the perfect profile for their possession-heavy system, where full-backs are asked to attack with width but also step inside when required.
De Cuyper by the Numbers
| Stat (Club Brugge) | De Cuyper |
|---|---|
| Appearances | 114 |
| Goals | 9 |
| Assists | 22 |
| International (last 4 games) | 3 goals, 2 assists |
source: transfermarkt & Belgium NT data – 6 September 2025
Those contributions underline why Brighton invested. Few left-backs in Europe match his attacking output — and he’s already producing at international level.
Analyst Verdict
FootballPlace analyst John William:
Brighton may have struck gold again. De Cuyper isn’t just a replacement for Estupiñán — he could be an upgrade. His delivery, timing of runs, and goal threat add a new dimension.
The key challenge will be adaptation to the Premier League’s pace and defensive demands. If Brighton can protect him in transition, his attacking strengths could make him one of the league’s most exciting full-backs by the end of the season.
Key Insights
- Brighton signed de Cuyper for €20m from Club Brugge.
- Belgian journalist Frank Raes: “Best left-back in the world” when attacking.
- Scored + assisted in Belgium’s 6-0 win over Liechtenstein.
- 3 goals, 2 assists in last 4 internationals.
- Signed to replace Pervis Estupiñán (joined AC Milan).
What’s Next
De Cuyper is expected to feature in Brighton’s upcoming clash with Bournemouth — a tough test that will show whether he can impose himself against top Premier League opposition.
For Belgium, his form has sparked debate over whether he should now be first-choice at left-back heading into the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. Another goal contribution or two at club level would only cement that case.
Can Maxim de Cuyper translate his Belgium form into Premier League stardom at Brighton?
1 Comment (last comment by Adem)
First read message
By Adem 6 Sep 2025 18:20
They played Lichtenstein or whatever, dont take this too serious. Havent seen any game of him at Brighton yet, but curious if someone else did?!
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