Brighton star Olivier Boscagli has opened up on how he has been frustrated by his lack of minutes so far this season, but he remains optimistic for the future.
The Frenchman has made 14 appearances for the Seagulls in all competitions, and this weekend is likely to mark the first time that he has started two consecutive Premier League matches.
Fabian Hurzeler has retained faith in skipper Lewis Dunk and Jan Paul van Hecke throughout the campaign, with Boscagli deputising as third-choice. Igor Julio was recalled from his loan at West Ham in the January transfer window to provide another option at the back after Diego Coppola was sent out on loan to Paris FC.
Boscagli arrived at the Amex Stadium from PSV over the summer as a proven centre-back who has featured regularly in the Champions League. Thus, even the 28-year-old has hinted that he has been surprised by his struggles.
Speaking to The Athletic about his debut campaign so far, he explained: “Of course, when you come to a new club, you have a lot of expectation, but on the other side, you know that you have to adapt.
“You come to the best league in the world, so you know that it’s not going to be easy. I’m still really happy with the move I made.
“I have struggled for game time, but it’s also important this year for me to learn a lot of things and that is going to help me for the future, I have seen what I need to bring to be in the first 11 every week. Because in front of me, the guys are fighting a lot.
“They have showed really strong character and a strong level of decision-making. So now the only thing I can do is to work and try to compete with them.”
Boscagli was linked with a loan move to Fenerbahce in January, but the defender has insisted that although he understands why Coppola, 22, opted for a short-term exit, he has always been set on staying put.
He continued: “As a player, as a competitor, you want to play, and I can understand that for Diego as a really young guy. I had the same problem when I was really young. I also went on loan for one year. It helped me a lot, but I was happy to make this move. I’m still happy with the move I made, and that didn’t come into my mind for a minute.”
The underlying optimism from Boscagli will certainly be music to the ears of Fabian Hurzeler and Tony Bloom heading into the summer transfer window.
With Van Hecke’s future unsolved and both Igor and Adam Webster likely to depart, a defensive shake-up appears to be brewing. However, Boscagli intends to battle it out to become a first choice on the Sussex coast next season.
He concluded: “I am using this season to see what I need to improve to be in the first eleven every week. I want to finish the season well. There are a lot of things I can use to help me next season.”