Timely recognition or long overdue? How Gross is proving all-time bargain

Brighton midfielder Pascal Gross may be one of the best value-for-money signings in Premier League history.

In fact the 35-year-old has effectively cost the Seagulls minus £3m - and been involved in 86 Premier League goals over two spells.

Already in this campaign, Gross has been involved in seven Brighton goals in six games.

His latest provided the opener in his side's 2-0 win at Sunderland on Saturday, a slide-rule pass finding Maxim de Cuyper to slot home.

Gross became the oldest player to provide an assist in three successive Premier League games since a 38-year-old Ryan Giggs did so for Manchester United in February 2012.

In 2026, only Bruno Fernandes and Dominik Szoboszlai have created more chances than the German - and that includes the 18 months he was away from the Premier League.

Gross was Brighton's first Premier League signing in 2017 for a reported £3m from Ingolstadt.

He left for his boyhood club Borussia Dortmund in 2024 for £8m - but in a surprise move he returned to Albion in January for about £1.7m.

So has Gross been underrated all this time?

Former England midfielder, and BBC pundit, Danny Murphy doesn't think so.

"The Premier League is shown worldwide, and he has been a part of that for so many years during a time when Brighton have been a shining light," he said.

"You don't have to play for a big-six team to be appreciated in the Premier League. Gross is not under the radar, because people know how good he is."

A little-heralded German from relegated Ingolstadt, nobody could have anticipated the impact Gross, nor Albion, would go on to have.

"There's an argument Gross is pound-for-pound the best value player in the Premier League over the last 10 years, especially when you look at his goal involvements," said BBC Radio Sussex commentor Johnny Cantor.

"However, he also drives standards in training, sets a high bar and is a huge influence in the dressing room.

"Technically he is excellent, has superb delivery but also possesses an awareness, popping up in spaces all around the pitch. Managers have leaned on him, team-mates respect him, and fans of all generations adore him.

"He will surely be remembered as one of the best Albion players of the modern age."

Since joining Brighton, Gross is seventh for Premier League assists with 52 to go with his 34 goals in 253 league games.

All the more remarkable when you consider his journey with Brighton appeared over two years ago when he went home to join his beloved Borussia Dortmund.

Albion supporter Maz Mirzadeh said: "When he left for Dortmund, it was like going through a heartbreak and seeing an ex go back to their childhood sweetheart.

"He's outrageously good and massively underappreciated.

"If you watch him play, you would think someone's put him in slow-motion settings, but what he lacks in pace, he makes up in superior football IQ, technical brilliance and working harder than any other player on the pitch."

Gross played 66 times for Dortmund, scoring one goal and assisting 17 times, but on 2 January 2026, he came back to Brighton.

Aged 34 at the time, many wondered if it was more of a romantic career swansong.

"There may have been concerns that he may not have been able to recreate the impact of his first period at the Amex but that has been dispelled already," added Cantor.

Only Chelsea's Joao Pedro can better Gross' goal contributions this season in the top flight. Pedro has five goals and three assists, to his former Brighton team mate's three goals and four assists.

The midfielder - who retired from international football after the World Cup - has also played every single minute for Brighton in all competitions, nine games so far.

Former Liverpool and Fulham midfielder Murphy said: "He's an intelligent footballer, with a great football IQ.

"You can see that he has grown into that version of himself over the years. That happens in football - it happened to me - when you know what you can't do, as much as you know what you can do.

"So, you don't see him trying to beat people on the outside with his pace. Instead he loves a little chop, or a Cruyff turn to give himself space and time, or to play a quick first-time pass around the corners. That's why he always seems to be in space.

"His versatility tells you about his intelligence as well. He is able to play as a full-back, central midfield or, recently, as more of a 10. He is scoring and making goals.

"I am sure this won't be his last season with Brighton but, even if it was, he is already going to be remembered as one of the Brighton greats by their supporters for what he has given so far to the club, especially with him coming back and doing what he is doing. It is nothing short of remarkable."

This form led to Gross being the sixth oldest player to be named Premier League player of the month, for September.

Seagulls fan Mirzadeh added: "Even in his 'unc' era, he's showing the Premier League's elite how it's done.

"If he was called Pascal Silva and played for a top-six club he might get the recognition and respect he truly deserves."

Danny Murphy was speaking to BBC Sport's Chris Bevan