Fabian Hürzeler’s £30m Brighton move pays off ahead of Man City

Brighton’s comfortable 2-0 win over Burnley may fade from the wider Premier League memory, but for Charalampos Kostoulas, it could mark the true beginning of his top-flight journey — and potentially a turning point in Brighton’s season.

The 18-year-old made his first Premier League start at the Amex Stadium and looked every bit the long-term investment Brighton believed they were making when they paid around £30m to sign him from Olympiacos last summer.

With a Manchester double-header looming — away to Manchester City on Wednesday and an FA Cup trip to Manchester United on Sunday — Kostoulas’ emergence suddenly feels significant.

Brighton head coach Fabian Hürzeler deliberately eased Kostoulas into English football, describing the early months as an “adaptation process” rather than a setback. The club took a long-term view following João Pedro’s £60m move to Chelsea, recruiting both Kostoulas and fellow Greek Stefanos Tzimas to shape the next attacking cycle.

Tzimas initially appeared slightly ahead in his development after arriving from FC Nürnberg for £22m, but his season was cut short by a knee injury sustained in a 4-3 defeat to Aston Villa. That misfortune has accelerated Kostoulas’ pathway.

Veteran striker Danny Welbeck has been Hürzeler’s primary option this season, while Georginio has alternated between striker and a deeper No 10 role. Against Burnley, Georginio thrived operating behind the forward line, scoring the opener and combining sharply with Kostoulas.

Welbeck has been managing a back issue in recent weeks, and that opened the door for Kostoulas against Scott Parker’s Burnley side. The teenager seized the moment.

He had a well-taken goal ruled out for a razor-thin offside inside the opening ten minutes and consistently troubled Burnley’s back line with his pace, physicality and movement.

What stood out was not just Kostoulas’ athletic profile, but his composure. His hold-up play was clean, his pressing disciplined and his confidence unmistakable — the kind of swagger Brighton often trust their recruitment model to identify early.

“I was pleased,” Hürzeler said after the match. “I think he worked well against the ball, he had two free chances, he created chances, so overall I was happy with his performance.”

Kostoulas already has a Premier League goal to his name — a late header off the bench at Old Trafford last October — and that experience could prove valuable as Brighton head north again.

While Kostoulas may not start against Manchester City — much will depend on Welbeck’s fitness — he is expected to play a meaningful role across both Manchester fixtures. His confidence, momentum and physical profile offer Brighton a different dimension as they navigate a demanding schedule.

Hürzeler believes Saturday’s performance could be only the beginning.

“He shows it in every training session that he’s ready to play,” the Brighton boss added. “He had some challenges at the beginning, regarding physicality and the mental side, but I was very pleased with how he developed in the last month.

“I hope it was only the beginning and that he keeps pushing.”

Brighton’s Manchester double-header could define their momentum heading into the second half of the season. Whether starting or impacting from the bench, Kostoulas now looks firmly part of Hürzeler’s plans — a sign that Brighton’s forward transition may be ahead of schedule.

Is Charalampos Kostoulas ready to become Brighton’s next breakout striker — or is patience still the key?