Fabian Hurzeler did not mention Igor Julio by name but, after the big Brazilian joined Premier League rivals West Ham United on transfer deadline day, the reasons behind his Brighton departure could hardly have been made any clearer.
Less than a year ago, Hurzeler described Igor Julio as a ‘special’ talent.
A player with the rock-solid self-confidence and the adaptability required to keep his head above water even when thrown in at the deepest of deep ends.
The Brighton and Hove Albion coach was speaking after Igor stepped off the bench due to an injury to Adam Webster, and helped turn a 2-0 deficit into a famous comeback win over Tottenham in October 2024.
If the former Fiorentina giant can make a similar impact against that same opposition when West Ham United host Spurs in Saturday’s 5.30pm kick-off, well that would certainly be a debut to remember.
Because, eleven months after that remarkable triumph over Ange Postecoglou’s side, the ‘special’ Igor Julio is getting settled into life in a new home.
Fabian Hurzeler explains why Brighton loaned Igor Julio to West Ham United
Graham Potter is delighted with Igor’s impact since arriving in East London. The 27-year-old has impressed on the training pitch and, alongside Soungoutou Magassa, is likely to be part of the Hammers squad for the first time against Thomas Frank’s Tottenham.
Brighton, meanwhile, face South Coast neighbours AFC Bournemouth earlier in the day.
Hurzeler has the luxury of being able to choose between Lewis Dunk, Jan Paul van Hecke, Diego Coppola, Olivier Boscagli and Joel Veltman at centre-half at the Vitality Stadium. The sort of defensive depth many Premier League managers can only dream of.
And, speaking at his pre-match press conference, Hurzeler admitted that it was Brighton’s extremely strong squad which enabled them to let Igor go on deadline day without bringing in a direct replacement.
“I would say [our strength in depth] is exactly the reason why we could do this,” Hurzeler explained, Igor one of a handful of late departures alongside Facundo Buonanotte, Julio Enciso, Tariq Lamptey, Matt O’Riley and Jeremy Sarmiento.
“And I always want to emphasise that, all these kind of decisions, they are club decisions and we do them together. So it’s not only a decision from my side or from Tony [Bloom, majority owner]. It’s always a decision we do together.
“We have a very open exchange, and therefore we always try to figure out what is the best for the club. We try to figure out what is the best for the team, what is the best for the individual player because, in the end, we had a big number.
“We had a big squad. So we had to make sure that we keep everyone happy. We have to make sure that we can give everyone the right chance and right possibility to be on the pitch. That’s why we had to make decisions.
“They might seem tough, but I think they were the best for the club.”
Graham Potter raves about Igor’s impact ahead of Tottenham Hotspur clash
Wearing the number five shirt vacated by Nayef Aguerd following his move to Marseille – the Moroccan is joined at the Stade Velodrome by the aforementioned O’Riley – Igor is likely to be on the bench for West Ham, presuming Potter sticks with the 4-2-3-1 set-up which worked wonders last time out at Nottingham Forest.
“As you can imagine with the window, you have to be on your toes,” the head coach said on Thursday.
“The opportunity for Nayef to leave was good for him and us. A possibility opened up for Igor. He’s trained really well, fitted into the group really well. He is a positive character, so we are happy [with the signing].
“We’ve got good competition there now. Igor can cover centre-back and full-back. I’m happy with that position, happy that the window has finished and we are where we are.”
Potter confirms that Callum Wilson is in contention to start as well, alongside Crysencio Summerville.
Niclas Fullkrug was spotted training with the rest of the squad on Friday, though it remains to be seen if the German is passed fit after suffering a calf strain on international duty.
