In a world where midfielders are being sold for over £120 million, it seems crazy to think that anyone could still be bought for a price synonymous with the early 2010’s. But Pascal Groß has made Brighton his home across the past decade, and perhaps that’s why Borussia Dortmund were willing to sell the genius footballer back to Brighton for just £2 million.
Embed from Getty ImagesIn the month of September, Pascal Groß has arguably been the best midfielder in the division. Certainly one of the most influential, putting up 3 goals and 3 assists to start this season. Here is what makes the German midfielder so special.
THE SWISS GERMAN ARMY KNIFE
Embed from Getty Images
Sometimes you can simplify a player’s role by giving them fewer responsibilities, thus focusing on their specific strengths. This was the narrative around Bruno Fernandes last season. A player who was being asked to do too much under Amorim in a two man midfield, only to be unleashed as a ’10’ by Michael Carrick.
Fabian Hürzeler has done the opposite for Pascal Groß.
He’s simplified his game by giving him a free role. He’s constructed a midfield of players that can carry out specific tasks, like Chema Andrés, who is a physical, imposing defensive midfielder capable of covering ground and sitting in.
Embed from Getty ImagesThis gives Groß more responsibility to do it all. That works wonders for him. He’s the type of player that can contribute in so many different ways, and shouldn’t be restricted to just playing as the deep-lying playmaker, or just as a ’10’.
This season, Hürzeler’s given Groß the freedom to float. He’ll be the deepest presence in early builds, coming toward the centre-backs to pick up possession and play passes out from the back.
Moments later, he’ll pop up in the attacking third completely unmarked, ready to create some magic.
Most teams don’t have this luxury when deciding on their deepest midfielder. Unless you’re Rodri or Kimmich, it usually has to be one or the other – a defensive destroyer, or a ball savvy pass master.
For example, Casemiro was always great at breaking up play for Manchester United, but he was never able to orchestrate build-up or attacks. In replacing him, United have signed players capable of bringing the ball out from the back and playing nice passes around the pitch, but they haven’t replaced Casemiro’s defensive acumen.
Brighton have achieved that balance through two midfielders – Chema Andrés, and Pascal Groß, who can do different sides of the same coin that you’d want out of a ‘6’.
In having that player to operate alongside Groß, it then means that the German can float further forward after starting attacks, without having to stay put and remain part of the rest-defense. He can then find dangerous pockets of space to pick up possession, where he can start to work his magic.
This is where he shines. The 35-year-old is a master of finding space to receive unmarked. He’ll float around like a ‘false 9’ or arrive late from starting in that deeper position, making him difficult to track.
Like in the image above, he’s particularly savvy at finding space in between defenders.
In his goal against Arsenal, Kostoulas drops deep to pick up a pass through the thirds. At that time, Groß is actually the highest player on the pitch from a Brighton perspective. Arsenal’s centre-backs aren’t worried about him. If he gets the ball, who is he going to pass to now that the striker is out of position?
As it turns out, no one. Groß only needs half-a-yard to turn, shoot, and score.
It’s this kind of position in the right-half-spaces that Pascal Groß loves most. This is where he’ll often look to play his clever through passes into the path of runners in behind.
He also likes to drift wide right to link up with his full-back, and deliver crosses into the box.
We all know how well he can cross the ball. He assisted 10 goals back in the 2023-24 campaign shortly before his move to Dortmund. So it’s all the more surprising, and likely a result of the fantastic interchange Brighton accomplish in attack, that he still finds so much space to receive and deliver.
DEFENSIVE LEADERSHIP
Embed from Getty ImagesI think we can often get hyperbolic about the fitness levels of footballers past the age of 30, but Pascal Groß wouldn’t be the first name most synonymous with pressing.
Despite that, he’s been the first name most synonymous with pressing this season for the Seagulls. He’s often the one leading the press from the front from the highest position.
He’s also often the one urging his teammates forward and clearly pushing them on through his communication and voice. He’s even covered more ground than all of his teammates.
He will run himself into the ground for his team, which just isn’t something you can say for every player at your favourite team these days.
One of the reasons why I think Hürzeler has pushed him into the highest position is because it’s where he becomes most valuable if the ball changes hands.
Embed from Getty ImagesHis goal against Manchester United is a clear example of that. Luka Vušković flies in to win the loose ball, and it finds Pascal Groß completely unmarked at the top of the eighteen.
Cleverly, he dances around the defenders as they rush to the emergency room, and then finishes the chance.
You won’t see Pascal Groß flying into tackles or towering above to win the ball in his penalty area, but the role that he plays in leading the press is integral to the energy around him.
Embed from Getty Images
Brighton are now up to third in the table – behind only Arsenal and City, with a better goal differential than both. It’s been a collective effort from all involved, but some credit must go to their 35-year-old midfield maestro. Especially in an era where quality like that seems to cost upwards of £80 million. Pascal Groß’s £1.7 million fee is just one more representation of Brighton’s astuteness in the transfer market; providing evidence that you don’t need to spend millions to spend smart.
Thanks for reading and see you soon!
Discover more from TheMastermindSite
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
TheMastermindSite 