Brighton vs Crystal Palace in the Premier League from the Amex Stadium - Sunday, 2pm
One of the more intriguing sub plots of Brighton's transfer window is where exactly will Matt O'Riley fit into Fabian Hurzeler's team?
The Seagulls and Matt O'Riley have had a slightly odd relationship following his £25m arrival from Celtic in 2024.
O'Riley suffered a nasty ankle injury on his Brighton debut and then struggled to establish himself under Hurzeler in his first season.
The Denmark international looked sharp in pre-season and started Albion's first two Premier League matches of this campaign. He even scored in Brighton's first match, a 1-1 draw against Fulham.
Was he finally turning a corner, would his Brighton career now take-off? No, was the short answer.
Loan to Marseille
He was an unused substitute in the third match against Manchester City and then swiftly sealed a surprise loan move to Roberto De Zerbi's Marseille.
O'Riley did okay in the south of France as he claimed six assists and one goal from his 25 outings. There was initial talk that Marseille were keen to make the move permanent but that cooled and O'Riley is now back at Brighton and preparing to face Crystal Palace at the Amex Stadium this Sunday.
“We know all about his qualities,” said Hurzeler. “I have no doubt he will settle back into the group very quickly.
“He’s had a good spell with Marseille, playing regular domestic football and in the Champions League, and we believe he can positively impact the team in the second half of the season.”
O'Riley's return makes sense in so much that fellow playmaker Brajan Gruda was allowed to join RB Leipzig on loan for the second half of the campaign. Both Gruda and O'Riley have had their struggles since joining Brighton for a combined total of around £50m.
So what now for O'Riley and where does he fit in?
That's a bit of headscratcher and a problem Hurzeler will need to address.
O'Riley is at his best in a No 10 role but Georginio, Diego Gomez, Pascal Gross are all vying for that congested spot, while Yasin Ayari, Carlos Baleba, Jack Hinshelwood, Mats Wieffer, Gross, Gomez and James Milner are the deeper midfielders.
It seems a bit odd that O'Riley was deemed surplus at the start of the campaign but he could now be the solution for the second half of the season. How does that impact his motivation, mindset and, more importantly, his relationship with Hurzeler?
Either way, it is a chance for him to kick-start his Brighton career and push for minutes in the Premier League and then see what options arise for him in the summer. The 25-year-old is contracted with Brighton until June 2029. He has previously be linked with Everton, Roma, Atalanta and Juventus.
O’Riley trained with the first team this week but whether he has reintegrated fast enough to be involved against Palace this Sunday, remains to be seen. I don't him expect to be in the starting XI but a place in the matchday squad is more realistic.
Brighton fans are yet to see O'Riley at his best and the next few weeks and months could be his chance.
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