Who is Bart Verbruggen? The Goalkeeping Sensation on Brighton’s Radar…
Brighton & Hove Albion’s pursuit of talented goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen has captured the attention of clubs worldwide, and the 20-year-old shot-stopper’s potential contribution to Roberto De Zerbi’s tactical approach has become a subject of intrigue. Anderlecht’s rising star has impressed with his remarkable performances and is now on the cusp of a move to the Premier League.
Signed by Anderlecht from NAC Breda in the summer of 2020, Verbruggen initially served as a backup goalkeeper. However, his breakthrough arrived in the second half of the 2022/23 season when he firmly established himself as the first-choice custodian for the Belgian club. Standing tall at 6'4", Verbruggen’s commanding presence between the sticks and exceptional displays have earned him widespread acclaim.
Throughout his sensational campaign, Verbruggen showcased his shot-stopping abilities, amassing an impressive 10 clean sheets in just 24 senior appearances. Such outstanding form led to his recognition as Anderlecht’s Player of the Season for 2022–23. His remarkable progress also caught the attention of national selectors, resulting in a call-up to the Netherlands senior team for UEFA EURO 2024 qualifiers.
Analyzing Verbruggen’s style of play, it becomes apparent that he possesses several key strengths that would suit Brighton well. Whoscored.com has identified his prowess in saving long shots and exhibiting excellent reflexes showing his raw goalkeeping ability. But, it’s his tactical understanding and unique ability to play right out from the back that will have drawn De Zerbi’s attention. Verbruggen’s sweeping ability sets him apart especially. He fearlessly ventures outside his area to cover long balls played over the defensive line. This aspect allows Brighton’s defenders to push higher up the field, facilitating a quicker transition and aligning with De Zerbi’s tactical philosophy to overload certain areas of the pitch and drag opposition players out of position. Verbruggen has shown he can do this too with his heavy involvement in Anderlecht’s buildup phases showcasing his competence with the ball at his feet in order to control a game. With an average of 42 touches per 90 minutes, he demonstrates the ability to participate actively in the team’s progression. It is worth noting that Verbruggen’s inclusion would address a weakness in Brighton’s previous goalkeeper, Rob Sanchez, who occasionally struggled with involvement in the team’s buildup leading to Jason Steele coming in. He would provide strong competition for Steele being younger and taller with a style suited to De Zerbi. We will see if he comes in as the immediate starter or is seen as more of a backup as he (hopefully) arrives at the club in the coming weeks!
However, this does still remain up in the air, Manchester United and newly-promoted Burnley have also expressed interest in Verbruggen, but it appears that Brighton are set to secure his signature. The young goalkeeper’s arrival at the south coast club promises to add depth to their squad, bolstering their goalkeeping department and providing healthy competition for the starting spot.
In conclusion, Bart Verbruggen’s emergence as a highly sought-after goalkeeper is a testament to his exceptional performances and remarkable potential. With his shot-stopping ability, sweeping prowess, and active involvement in the buildup, he is primed to make a significant impact at Brighton under the guidance of Roberto De Zerbi. The anticipation surrounding Verbruggen’s imminent arrival at the club suggests an exciting future for the talented Dutch goalkeeper and the potential elevation of Brighton’s defensive capabilities.
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