Deniz Undav

#PLStories- Deniz Undav admits surprise on Kaoru Mitoma performance for Brighton #BHAFC

Mitoma headed the winner as the Seagulls grabbed a 1-0 success at home to Bournemouth. He has scored five goals in his last seven games and is taking the Prem by storm. Deniz Undav, who made his full Prem debut, saw Mitoma at close quarters last season when they were colleagues at Union St-Gilloise. But he admits the winger’s feats since coming to England have surpassed even his expectations. Undav said: “It has surprised me, to be fair. “He has made a big, big step. His one-versus-one is even better than it was in Belgium. “He knows when to pass, when to go one-versus-one, and I think we can all agree he is doing an unbelievable job for the team and he is a difference maker. “He scored again. He didn’t have his best game but he scored again. “He is in a rhythm right now and I hope he continues this.” Head coach Roberto De Zerbi said: “Mitoma didn’t play the best game of his life but he can always score. “I can never substitute him because I felt during the game he could score.”
Deniz Undav

#PLStories- Brighton’s Deniz Undav determined to make mark at the club after season resumes post World Cup #BHAFC

Deniz Undav is determined to make his mark at Brighton & Hove Albion when the Premier League restarts following the World Cup. The break from domestic action has given the 26-year-old a chance to consider his position at the club, having made just eight substitute appearances in the top flight so far. And the German striker says he is ready to fight and show exactly what he can do for the Seagulls. "It's an opportunity for me to be even more ready than before and, if I get the chance, to play," he told the club website. "It's not the farmer's league, it's the best league in the world. I have to give everything now I know the league and maybe be even more ready than I was. "In training, everyone is aggressive, really, really good. There's no time to relax in training or take the foot off the gas, so that's hard. The intensity is really, really hard. "You have to get used to it at some point. Even when I've come on for a few minutes, it's always hard against the defenders. When you come on you think you are ready, but they don't care. "They are 100 per cent ready. I may have to change my head, to work even harder. I think so far I'm disappointed, but I don't give up just because I'm not playing that much.  "I'll try to give everything for the team, so that if the coach picks me, I'll be ready.”  Undav, who signed from Belgian side Royal Union Saint-Gilloise in January, has just 93 minutes of playing time under his belt in the Premier League so far, but started against Forest Green Rovers in the Carabao Cup second round and netted in a 3-0 win. And he says he is trying to remain positive as he seeks more chances for Roberto De Zerbi's side. "It's hard for me, especially when you come from a season in Belgium playing every game," he added.  "But it's life, that's football. I'm a little bit disappointed, but I just try to be positive, to work hard, to be there for my team-mates and when I maybe get the chance to start again to be ready. "It's now my third season as a professional really. I thought it would be hard [moving to the Premier League], but it's even harder than that.  "If I'm not playing from the start in the first six months or year it's nothing to be ashamed of. I'm trying to do something that's really hard. From Belgium to the Premier League is like five, six levels higher."
Graham Potter Brighton

#PLStories- Graham Potter’s latest on Deniz Undav and Danny Welbeck #BHAFC

Graham Potter is looking forward to working with Deniz Undav. But he has warned the prolific German goal-getter should not be seen as the fabled “silver bullet” at Premier League level. Undav signed for Albion for around £7 million on deadline day but will remain on loan at Union St Gilloise for the rest of the season. He has an impressive goal-scoring track record and Albion will hope they have unearthed a bargain as he joins them for pre-season. Potter said: “He has had a really interesting career. “He has had to fight a lot to get where he is now and that shows a lot about his character. “He’s doing well in Belgium and he brings qualities which can be used in our group. “He’s a goalscorer who makes players better around him. “I’m not saying he’s a silver bullet, the answer to any problems but he wants to help the team. “He will have to adapt to the Premier League but it’s exciting.” Undav’s arrival will have no bearing on any decision as to whether Danny Welbeck stays. The former England man is out of contract his summer as things stand. But he is known to be relishing his football at the Amex and has three important goals in limited minutes this term - one winner and two late equalisers, all with headers. Potter said: “It doesn’t affect anything. 'TEAMS LIKE BRIGHTON' - POTTER'S RESPONSE AHEAD OF FA CUP TRIP “It is as it was pretty much last year, the position hasn’t changed. “We love Danny Welbeck on and off the pitch, great guy. “You can see his quality, you can see what he brings. “The important thing is to have him on the pitch as much as we can, enjoying his football. “Then it will be a conversation with Danny and the club as we go towards the end of the season.”