Graham Potter faces a contractual dilemma with the Brighton star he supports to the end
Pascal Gross is not far from entering legendary territory in Brighton.
The Albion mainstay has made 152 appearances for the club since signing from FC Ingolstadt in 2017 and last season he made 40 appearances in all competitions – the most he has made in a single campaign.
And while he’s played 15 times this season, 12 of which have started, it looks like something has been different with the German lately.
Their assists king, who has become a supplier for the club 28 times and has scored 15 goals, has barely played since November, despite dating Covid for around a week in December.
After starting the 1-1 draw with Southampton earlier this month, he played five minutes against Brentford and was an unused substitute for Chelsea and Everton games.
Alexis Mac Allister has apparently usurped him in midfield and Adam Lallana, Yves Bissouma and sometimes Jakub Moder are ahead of him in the pecking order.
Despite all his strengths, which are numerous, is this the last season Gross will have in a Brighton jersey?
His contract ends this summer and the 30-year-old has already said he wants to return to Germany one day.
It looks like Moder, 22, Mac Allister, 23, and Mwepu, 24, may be preferred in the future.
Although his performances have arguably not been as good this season as they were last, he is a very valuable member of the team.
The German put on a solid display in the FA Cup win over West Brom on Saturday, but he could once again become a substitute for the upcoming games against Crystal Palace, Chelsea and Leicester City.
But he certainly has the full support of his boss in Brighton.
“He has a very important role. He is an important part of the team and the group. We know his qualities. He never lets you down,” Potter said Thursday.
“A fantastic professional. Ready to play, always ready to help the team, support the team, so he’s someone you would want to hang out with.
“In football you never know what the situation is but I have immense respect for Pascal for what he has done for us, for what he has done for the club, and for what he has done for me personally in terms of how he’s supported me and how he’s supported the team while I’m here. He’s been fantastic. “
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Gross, who can speak to overseas teams like he is in the final six months of his current contract, would he settle for a more marginal role in the future? It remains to be seen.
He can still work his way into the starting lineup more often, but it looks like he may not be one of the first names on the squad sheet anymore.
Brighton has a number of contractual situations which may need to be addressed and Gross is certainly one of them.