‘I know about this’ – Fabian Hurzeler could have last laugh after Todd Boehly’s massive pay out to Brighton

Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler has urged his team to focus on the present as he played down the club’s long-running rivalry with Chelsea ahead of Saturday’s game at Stamford Bridge.

   Meetings between the two sides have taken on an added edge in recent seasons with a number of staff and players swapping Sussex for west London.

   Former Seagulls trio Robert Sanchez, Marc Cucurella and Moises Caicedo are likely to feature in the Blues’ starting line-up for the Premier League clash, alongside former Albion loanee Levi Colwill.

   The Seagulls also lost their former manager Graham Potter and his backroom staff to Chelsea in 2022.  Potter left for a “long-term” project at Stamford Bridge, but lasted less than a season.    In total, Todd Boehly and Chelsea have paid Brighton more than £225m since the American took charge at Stamford Bridge – more than double the cost of building the entire Amex Stadium.

   Hurzeler, whose £25million bid to sign midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall from Leicester was rejected by the Blues in the summer, wants his players to be brave in possession and seize the emotion of the occasion.

   “I know about it and I experienced it a bit during my transfer window, with Chelsea,” the German told Sussex World of the recent history between the clubs.

   “From what I’ve heard, it’s not always easy. But on Saturday it’s important to win the game, to win with a better performance, individually and as a group.

   “Obviously it can get emotional as well.

   “Get emotional, but control your emotions in a positive way and use your emotions to create energy, to create intensity on the field, and that’s what we’re trying to do.

   “We try to go out there and bring our identity to the pitch, which means playing with intensity, playing under high pressure, trying to win the ball as quickly as possible and playing bravely in possession.

   “We have to focus here and not too much about what happened before, what happened in the transfer window and what is the relationship between us and Chelsea.”

   Brighton remain unbeaten since Hurzeler’s appointment, but are behind Chelsea in fifth place in League One after three draws.