‘He reacts to his role’ – Fabian Hurzeler issues Julio Enciso update amid West Ham transfer link

Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler has challenged Julio Enciso to “see his head” ahead of Saturday’s visit to Chelsea.

   Enciso, 20, is yet to start a Premier League game for the Seagulls this term and has had a disrupted pre-season due to his involvement in the Olympics and the Copa America with Paraguay.

   The player is said to be of interest to West Ham, who are said to be preparing a £35million bid for Encis, who has two years left on his current contract with Brighton.    According to Pedro Aldave, Encis’ agent, there is a good relationship with Brighton for a possible contract extension.

   The Seagulls have plenty of attacking options with Enciso, Kaoru Mitoma, Simon Adingra, Yankuba Minteh, Joao Pedro, Evan Ferguson, Danny Welbeck, Georginio Rutter and Solly March (once in form) competing for minutes.

   “On the one hand, some players are so good because of their individual things, for example Joao Pedro, Julio Enciso, also Mitoma,” said Hurzeler, speaking ahead of Brighton’s trip to Chelsea.    “They can do special things with their own stuff.

   “You also have to give them freedom, because at the end of the day they can make a difference. On the other hand, it’s very important that everyone understands my principles, that everyone understands that it will only be successful if you work together as a team.

   “I think Julio is improving in those things. He’s trying to develop in those things. We work hard with him. After every game, after every minute he plays, we show him where he can improve.

   “It’s our job to make him better. And it’s also the player’s responsibility. How is he accepting his role right now, how is he reacting to his role. Is he frustrated and then shows his frustration and doesn’t train well?

   “Or is it like, ‘Okay, now I want to show everyone and show myself how good I am and show the tough guy how good I am that I’m in the f*cking head’? At the end of the day, that has to be the goal of every player who  it doesn’t start right now, in my head.

   “In my head, you only exist if you train well, if you are the best version of yourself every day here on the training ground.”

   Speaking to @SomosVersusPY, Aldave said: “Julio missed pre-season (due to injury) and is being looked after at Brighton. He played when he came in after playing with the national team.”