In Focus: Dahoud set to soar in Seagulls' reshaped midfield

Brighton know all about replacing departing stars with rough diamonds — and Mahmoud Dahoud may be their latest inspired acquisition.

Having sold Alexis Mac Allister and Moises Caicedo to Liverpool and Chelsea respectively, the Seagulls' have effectively had to rebuild their engine room this summer.

Yet while exits have dominated headlines, the arrival of Dahoud on a free transfer from Borussia Dortmund in June went under the radar.

Ahead of a trip to Wolves on Saturday, we take a closer look at what to expect from the South Coast outfit's new No8.

Out of the ordinary

Dahoud does not have the look or feel of a typical Brighton signing.

The Seagulls have become one of European football's most effective operators when it comes to recruiting young, obscure gems — with a penchant for the odd experienced veteran, too.

However, Dahoud fits into neither category. 

His 220 senior appearances for Dortmund and Borussia Monchengladbach mean he is anything but unexposed, while he still has his best years ahead of him at the age of 27.

After the German international penned a four-year deal at the Amex, boss Roberto De Zerbi could not hide his delight.

The Italian beamed: "I'm excited to have Mahmoud in my team. I wanted him when I was at Sassuolo and I'm sure he is going to be a top player for us."

On the fringes

Breaking through at Monchengladbach, Dahoud racked up 83 appearances in all competitions across 2015-16 and 2016-17, prompting BVB to make their move.

But after playing 34 times during his first campaign in Dortmund, he was unable to better that appearance tally in five subsequent seasons. 

Competing with the likes of Jude Bellingham, Marco Reus, Emre Can and Julian Brandt for minutes in recent times has been a tough ask, while injuries have also played their part. 

A shoulder problem sustained last August kept Dahoud sidelined until the new year and undoubtedly contributed to boss Edin Terzic letting him leave for nothing this summer.

Classy conductor

In terms of playing style, Dahoud is more likely to take up a Mac Allister-type role at his new club than that of Caicedo.

However, as a deep-lying playmaker, expect him to largely be the man starting off attacks with adventurous passes rather than applying the finishing touches.

During the 2021-22 Bundesliga campaign, where he featured 22 times, Dahoud ranked inside the division's top 15 central midfielders for completed passes, forward passes and total touches per 90 minutes.

He also played the second-most through balls out of his midfield peers, with only former Bayern pass master Corentin Tolisso attempting more.

Encouraging start

Dahoud made his Brighton bow in his new side's comfortable 4-1 opening-day win over Luton, turning in a solid display. 

Prior to being replaced on 74 minutes, he completed 40 of 45 passes and was unlucky not to pick up an assist when Solly March nodded his excellent cross over the bar. 

There were shaky moments, including a slip that almost led to a Hatters goal, but Dahoud's class and composure operating next to Pascal Gross at the base of midfield was clear to see. 

While tougher tests lie in wait, his capture looks like yet another fine piece of business from the Europa League-bound Seagulls.