Millwall want £15m for Azeezpublished at 14:16 BST
14:16 BST
Nizaar Kinsella Football reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Millwall have set a £15m asking price for winger Femi Azeez amid multiple offers from Brighton.
The south-coast club, whose interest was first reported by BBC Sport, have made two offers in recent weeks worth over £10m. A third has more recently come in surpassing £12m.
Azeez is understood to be keen on a move to the Amex Stadium.
However, Brighton remain short of Millwall's valuation. The south London club are prepared to let Azeez take the next step in his career if their demands are met.
Millwall signed Azeez from Reading in 2024 for around £1m and the Nigeria international is into the final 24 months of his contract. A sale would generate a significant return on the 25 year old.
Fellow Championship club Wrexham are also believed to have shown an interest but a move to the Premier League is his sole focus.
Azeez, who was named in the PFA Championship Team of the Year, is understood to be one of Brighton's top targets ahead of Tuesday's transfer deadline and he desperate for it happen.
Paul: Chelsea are brilliant going forward and a joy to watch. However, our defence and midfield are caught out of position and cannot read passes. We let in goals that can still be avoided. I know that we will improve in those areas soon. Hopefully my nails will grow back quickly. Arsenal next. Get a result against them and make my day.
Mike: Pleased with the start of the season and we look strong, with a clear direction. The board appears to now be listening.
Ben: Fantastic from a team that had virtually no midfield. Somehow Alonso gets four goals out of a team with 26% possession? Never boring being a Chelsea fan.
Tristan: The most important thing is that we got it over the line. But if we didn't, I'd be livid! Always doing things the hard way! When we were 3-0 up I expected the game to be done and we'd take those three points, but we had to put ourselves in a difficult position, didn't we? Yes, the three goals we conceded were a bit lucky but shouldn't have given them confidence. But we should take the positives. I'm really excited for this season, especially the front three we have. Not it's time for Arsenal!
Brighton fans
Martin: Brilliant display by Brighton after gifting a very poor Chelsea a three-goal lead. It was far too much to overcome but Chelsea were panicking the entire second half. It's going to be a great season for Brighton. Chelsea are just going to fail again.
Barry: Brighton didn't play badly at all. We started too slowly, but were much better in the second half and scoring three away at Chelsea shows the attacking quality is there. The problem was finding the right balance defensively and Chelsea punished our mistakes. We need to start games with the same intensity we showed after the break.
Steve: I absolutely hate losing... but this was definitely less painful. To have kept their heads up and relentlessly tried to get back into the game having conceded three early goals shows a huge amount of character and fight. This attitude will pay dividends in matches this season, I'm sure.
Merciless: Poor defensive display cost the Seagulls at least a point. Gomez needs to do better with the countless chances offered to him.
Chelsea 4-3 Brighton: How the players ratedpublished at 20:15 BST 30 August
20:15 BST 30 August
Media caption,
Brighton starting XI:
Bart Verbruggen: Struggled when coming out to claim the ball for Chelsea's opening goal, but made several good saves later in the match. 5
Olivier Boscagli: Made little impact and was part of a disjointed defensive performance. 5
Lewis Dunk: Did not stand out and was involved in a lacklustre defensive display. Also fortunate to avoid greater punishment for a poor challenge on Joao Pedro. 5
Luka Vuskovic: Tested the goalkeeper with a long-range effort in the first half but looked unconvincing defensively. 5
Ferdi Kadioglu: Struggled to cope with the combination of Cole Palmer and Pedro Neto down Chelsea's right. 5
Pascal Gross: The German delivered an excellent cross to create Yalcouye's first opportunity of the game, and had the last word with his late goal. 7
Mats Wieffer: Failed to deal with an early corner, which led to a mix-up with Verbruggen and ultimately Chelsea's opener. 5
Maxim de Cuyper: Offered little attacking threat while operating in an unfamiliar advanced role because of Brighton's injury problems. 5
Malick Yalcouye: Produced an energetic display, registering Brighton's first shot before scoring with a first-time volley that went in off the post. 7
Diego Gomez: Brighton's most dangerous attacking player but also guilty of missing several chances. 5
Charalampos Kostoulas: Played a key role in Brighton's first goal after seeing an initial effort saved, but struggled to provide a consistent threat. 6
Brighton substitutes:
Ibrahim Osman (on 74, Yalcouye): Made little obvious impact. 6
Costinha (on 80, Wieffer): 6
Promise David (on 80, Kostoulas): 6
Subs not used: Steele, Struijk, Hadjam, Cozier-Duberry, O'Riley, Oriola.
Brighton sign Colombian midfielder Orozcopublished at 20:01 BST 30 August
20:01 BST 30 August
Katie Stafford BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Brighton & Hove Albion
Brighton have completed the signing of Matias Orozco from Deportivo Cali for an undisclosed fee, believed to be £3.5m.
The 18-year-old midfielder has signed a five-year deal with the Seagulls and is expected to go out on loan to Europe.
Orozco made 24 appearances in the Colombian premier league last season, having moved into their senior squad at the age of 16.
Sporting director Mike Cave said: "We have identified Matias as an exciting young talent who we're really pleased to bring to the club.
"He has already got good experience in Colombia and we will now place him with a club on loan for the 2026/27 season so he can continue his development.
"We're looking forward to working with him and to helping him reach his potential."
Chelsea 4-3 Brighton: What Hurzeler saidpublished at 17:29 BST 30 August
17:29 BST 30 August
Media caption,
Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "Frustrating part is that we controlled the game, scored three goals away and had lot of chances but we lost. We didn't find the right balance between controlling the game and being good defensively. It was small margins and Chelsea had so much quality to punish us.
"Frustrating but a lot of positives to take away as well. We came here to win the game and the boys showed that attitude even at 3-0 down. We will get stronger because of this game and we can make the next step in our development.
"We are usually brilliant in the basics. We will analyse it."
On Malick Yalcouye's performance: "He had an impressive performance today. He showed attitude and personality at a tough place to go. In the end, we would have been more happy if we could take points away from this game. But it's important to emphasise these kind of performances.
On Yasin Ayari and possible transfers: "He had a small issue with his ankle. Hopefully he will be back next weekend. Let's see what happens in the window."
Brighton are only the second side since 1950 to score 4+ goals in their first game of an English top-flight season, and then concede 4+ in their second, after Blackpool in 2010-11 (won first 4-0 v Wigan, lost second 0-6 v Arsenal).
Brighton have lost three consecutive away games in the Premier League for the first time since May 2021 under Graham Potter.
Analysis: Reality check for Seagullspublished at 16:30 BST 30 August
16:30 BST 30 August
Adwaidh Rajan BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty Images
Their emphatic 4-0 victory over Villa on the opening weekend set expectations high for a another season under Hurzeler, who has steered Brighton to back-to-back eighth-placed finishes since taking charge in 2024.
But they were given a reality check by a Chelsea attack brimming with quality.
Brighton's backline, including £46m summer signing Vuskovic, struggled to cope with the width provided by wing-backs Hato and Neto as well as the creativity of their front three of Palmer, Rogers and Joao Pedro in the first half.
Hurzeler will draw positives from a much-improved display in the second half as they went close to grabbing a point, despite the excursions of a midweek outing against Norway's Tromso to book their Conference League place.
Yalcouye's performance was a bright spot, with the 20-year-old Ivorian playing a key role in their first two goals.
He has spent the past two seasons on loan at Sturm Graz and Swansea City despite joining Brighton in 2024 but this display showed he can do a job at the Seagulls this year.
And for Hurzeler, the challenge will be to ensure the Brighton side that emerged after half-time is the norm rather than the one that was overrun in first half.
You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on your smart speaker. Just say "Alexa, ask BBC Sounds to play Chelsea v Brighton" or "Alexa, ask BBC Sounds to play the Sunderland match", for example.
Chelsea have got some talented players and, because they've got no European football, they're going to have a good crack in the Premier League this season.
What interested me against Fulham is Chelsea didn't have a lot of possession, but they were effective when they did have possession.
But Brighton are just one of those teams. I don't think I predicted a single Brighton result right last season they're just impossible to call.
I really like Jack Hinshelwood he's such an exciting young player and there's a good history with his family in football and connection to Brighton.
But I'm going to say Chelsea carry on this run and get the three points.
Chelsea v Brighton: Key stats and talking pointspublished at 12:57 BST 29 August
12:57 BST 29 August
Matthew Hobbs BBC Sport journalist
Chelsea and Brighton both enjoyed impressive wins in their opening fixtures of the new season.
BBC Sport examines some of the key themes ahead of their meeting at Stamford Bridge on Sunday (14:00 BST).
A first Premier League match at the Chelsea helm proved to be an eventful one for new manager Xabi Alonso.
Joao Pedro was awarded the number nine shirt ahead of this season and rewarded that faith by netting after just 31 seconds – the quickest goal ever scored by a team in their opening Premier League fixture.
If Chelsea's fast start promised a straightforward contest, it proved to be anything but in the visitors' 3-2 win.
Cole Palmer deservedly dominated headlines in a triumphant return to form after setting up the opener and scoring what proved to be the winner in the second half, but Alonso will be equally pleased with the performance of debutant Morgan Rogers.
The £117m summer signing from Aston Villa scored Chelsea's second goal and created five chances from open play for the first time in his Premier League career, while he was also their most effective presser.
Image caption,
Morgan Rogers impressed on his Premier League debut for Chelsea on Monday
However, Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez did look vulnerable once again, with the Blues now failing to keep a clean sheet in their past 17 Premier League games.
They next face a Brighton team who opened their 2026-27 account by scoring four goals against Villa – their biggest victory on the opening day of a league season in 26 years since beating Mansfield Town 6-0 in the fourth tier.
The Seagulls recorded an expected goals tally of 3.4 from open play – their highest on record – to continue an excellent opening-game record of five wins and a draw in their past six Premier League campaigns.
Central to their success against Villa was an effective high press, long a hallmark of a Fabian Hurzeler team but one that was executed with particular aplomb last Sunday.
Image caption,
Brighton unsettled Aston Villa with a high press in their 4-0 win last weekend
Brighton amassed 19 high turnovers, their second highest tally in a league match since Hurzeler joined the club two years ago, although Jack Hinshelwood, who scored a brace last weekend, is set to miss several weeks because of a training ground injury.
Four goals against Villa is followed by a fixture in which the Seagulls tend to flourish in attack. They have triumphed in the past three top-flight meetings with Chelsea, scoring three goals on each occasion.
The last team to score three or more goals in four consecutive league games against the Blues was West Ham United between 1972 and 1974.
Brighton, though, will be wary of an opposing goalscorer who so recently played for them. Danny Welbeck could face his former club for the first time since departing Amex Stadium for Stamford Bridge earlier this summer.
Welbeck is Brighton's highest goalscorer in the Premier League, with 46 goals in 176 appearances. He's also the highest scorer in this Premier League fixture, scoring six times in total – including four at Stamford Bridge.
Brighton's six Conference League opponents confirmedpublished at 12:51 BST 28 August
12:51 BST 28 August
Image source, Getty Images
Brighton's draw is complete - Fabian Hurzeler's side now know the six sides they will be meeting in the Conference League's 36-club league phase.
The teams were seeded into six pots based on their results in Uefa competitions over the past five years, with pot one being the highest-ranked and pot six being the lowest-ranked.
Each club has been drawn against one team from each of the six pots, but they can only play a maximum of two teams from one country and they cannot play against a team from their domestic league.
The Albion will face: Monaco (home), Panathinaikos (away), CS Craiova (home), Getafe (away), Kauno Zalgiris (home), Jablonec (away).
The order of those fixtures will be announced by Uefa in due course.
Hurzeler on Minteh, Hinshelwood patience and Conference Leaguepublished at 11:29 BST 28 August
11:29 BST 28 August
Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge (kick-off 14:00 BST).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
On Yankuba Minteh: "He is a player for Brighton and at the moment there is nothing else to say. I admire from him that when this window is closed that he is fully committed to this club. Of course there are always dreams of players and there are some wishes for players but in the end we always need to figure what is best for the club and therefore we had an exchange with him. At the moment he's definitely a Brighton player. I can't say anything more so let's see what happens."
When asked about an update on Minteh's return: "He is in rehab now. It won't be a short-term injury, it will be a few weeks so hopefully he can heal fast and become an important player for us again."
Hurzeler discussed Friday's Conference League draw and Brighton's chances in the competition: "In every cup competition you have chances so of course, in certain moments you need a little bit of luck, a little bit of momentum but overall I think the success from the English teams is also the belief, the confidence to do it so we know it is a different year, a different area so let's see how it's going this season."
When asked if he would be happy with his squad if the window closed now: "Yes. There's a minor issue with small injuries but I'm not here to complain, I'm here to find solutions together with my team and that's what we try to do since day one so yes, I'm happy with the squad."
On Georginio Rutter and Jack Hinshelwood's fitness: "With both, we will have to be patient. There might be a chance for one of them to be in the squad [against Chelsea]. With Jack we have to be more patient. Let's see how the next weeks are going. I can't give you a clear schedule when the players will be back. We have to go day-by-day. With Gini, I see a higher chance that he might be part of the squad. Jack we'll have to be more patient. Let's see."
When asked about the availability of new signings Jaouen Hadjam and Promise David: "I'm quite convinced they will be options for us at the weekend and that's positive. I think they are two great players. Two great personalities. They make our squad stronger."
Hurzeler warned his side cannot defend against Cole Palmer "one-to-one" and instead must be collectively good around the forward and Chelsea's other talents.
On Danny Welbeck: "We had a really, really good relationship and like I always said, I was really grateful working with him because he helped me a lot. He helped me on the pitch. He helped me beside the pitch. Therefore I'm really delighted to see that he scored yesterday. On Sunday he can take a break and then afterwards I wish him all the best again."
On Diego Gomez who could make his 50th appearance v Chelsea: "From the second he arrived, he showed a great impression. From the first second he stepped more and more into his role and is becoming a very important player for us so therefore I'm really delighted with his development so far. He still has more things for us. We need to give him now this chance to develop. He shows an unbelievable motivation of improving every day and therefore I think the future can be very bright for him."
Sarah: We're looking strong and decisive. The atmosphere at the Amex was electric and the players looked like they were enjoying themselves. Respect to the Tromso fans, who bounced, clapped and waved flags throughout the whole game. What a fantastic level of support for their team; so refreshing after years of seeing Premier League fans sloping off early as soon as they go two goals down!
Ed: Ridiculous depth in the squad to take it on. Probably come up short but Ajax in the final could be memorable! UTA
Fran: Excellent training match. Looked really good all over the pitch. Tromso didn't really offer anything and defensively we do look really solid. Next up, Brighton reserves on Sunday!
Mick: Brighton have a good squad and look a fair team again. They will give the big clubs problems again this season. They don't really care who they play, they just go for it and attack.
Chris: Olivier Boscagli is making himself indispensable and a key component of the first XI. Fair play to the guy after what must have been a hugely frustrating 2025-26 season.
The Seagulls' boss said: "I'm very happy for the players, for the fans – they created another good atmosphere. It was very energetic, very special."
After a 0-0 draw in the first leg despite 25 attempts on goal, Albion were ruthless on Thursday, with goals from Charalampos Kostoulas, Maxim de Cuyper, Mats Wieffer and Olivier Boscagli.
Hurzeler added: "We are very grateful for this opportunity. We know it will be a big challenge we have to face, but we seem to be ready."
"The key will be that we can maintain these standards. They key will be that we can maintain this intensity in the Premier League but also in Europe.
"Hopefully we are prepared for that. We will try to give our best, go game by game, and then we see what happens."
The draw for the league phase will take place at 12:00 BST on Friday.
Brighton want to give fans 'another European tour' - Grosspublished at 18:22 BST 26 August
18:22 BST 26 August
Image source, Getty Images
Brighton host Tromso in the second leg of their Conference League play-off on Thursday. The first leg ended goalless.
Seagulls midfielder Pascal Gross has said the team "don't want to waste" the work done last season to qualify and hope to give their fans the chance to go on another "European tour".
Brighton appeared in the Europa League in 2023-24, their only other season in European competition, and reached the last 16.
The experienced German is hoping a home crowd can help his side progress to the league phase.
Asked in the pre-game press conference about how special the second leg could be, Gross responded: "Really special. Like the gaffer said, it is a do-or-die game.
"In these games there are no excuses, you have to do it. And we want to do it because last year was very hard to finish eighth in the Premier League. It's a tough league and we don't want to waste it. We are in Europe, we want to qualify and give our fans another European tour home and away, therefore, we need to do the job.
"We need to take our opportunities, we need to score. We are at our home with our fans, it's a totally different game. It's a totally different environment for them as well, therefore I'm really positive."
He added: "It's different to league games because you don't have another chance to do it again, so we just need to find the right balance between attack and defence.
"It's a game of 90 minutes or longer, stay calm, but also we are at home. We are strong and we should really believe in ourselves. We showed at the weekend what we are capable of. We have our crowd and we are really confident that we go to the next round."
Image source, Getty Images
