How Roberto De Zerbi is changing the mentality of Brighton

From the outside looking in, the biggest difference Roberto De Zerbi would appear to have made in his four months in charge of Brighton is to the Seagulls' potency in front of goal.

Often mocked under Graham Potter for registering zero on the scoreboard despite having 25 shots in a game and an xG of over three, De Zerbi has found a way to unlock the scoring potential of this Albion squad.

So much so that the 17 goals Brighton have rained in over the past six matches is the most in the Premier League. The riskier, more attack-minded football of De Zerbi has seen the Seagulls score four goals in a top flight away game for the first time ever. Under the Italian, Leandro Trossard became just the third player to score a top flight hat-trick for Brighton, following in the footsteps of Peter Ward and Gordon Smith from the 1980s.

Even Adam Lallana and Solly March have started finding the back of the net having previously appeared cursed in front of goal. Lallana has three in his past seven appearances after managing one in 65 following his free transfer move from Liverpool in the summer of 2020, while March scored three in 81 games playing for Potter. He has two since Boxing Day for De Zerbi.

Whilst every Brighton fan would agree that it is very nice to see the Albion scoring so frequently having previously been treated to dismal runs like three months without a goal at the Amex last season, there is an even more important change De Zerbi is instigating - to the Seagulls' mentality.

After Brighton racked up the biggest win of the FA Cup third round when beating Middlesbrough 5-1 at the Riverside Stadium, one of the first comments De Zerbi made in his post-match interview was that he was still angry about the Charlton Athletic game two-and-a-half weeks ago.

Forget a stunning Albion performance, five goals in an away game for the first time since 2009 or Alexis Mac Allister scoring an utterly outrageous backheel flick. De Zerbi remained extremely miffed that his side had lost on penalties to a side four points off the League One relegation zone, missing out on a spot in the Carabao Cup quarter finals.

Most managers would have played down the importance of the Carabao Cup to excuse elimination. Not De Zerbi. He saw - and most importantly believed - that his Brighton side could go further, perhaps even all the way to Wembley. For an Albion manager to think the club capable of challenging for honours, qualifying for Europe and competing with the biggest clubs in English football is a mindset the Amex has not seen before.

Oh yes, De Zerbi has dared mutter that E-word already. Just before the World Cup winter break, he said that Albion fans should dream of Europe and that the club would be aiming to get there under his management. After beating Arsenal in the third round of the Carabao Cup, De Zerbi declared that Brighton are a big club.

Compare the way De Zerbi talks to the approach of his predecessor. Potter would refer to every opponent as having fantastic quality, implying a 3-0 home defeat to Burnley should not be unexpected. He would talk about the Premier League as if it were a division beyond the realm of the Albion, and Seagulls fans should subsequently be pleased with drawing 0-0 against rock-bottom Norwich City. Disappointing results like Charlton which still bristle De Zerbi 17 days later were met with a shrug of the shoulders and one of Potter's favourite comments, "It is what it is."

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"Maybe I need a history lesson on this club," was Potter's way of saying that Brighton had spent most of their existence outside the top flight, and that therefore fans should be delighted to draw 0-0 at home to Leeds United. Those 100 or so supporters who booed at the Amex that night were getting ideas above their stations if they thought the Albion could maybe score a goal against opponents 17th in the table.

Throughout their first five seasons in the Premier League, Brighton were seen as plucky underdogs. That was understandable under Chris Hughton when they first entered the top flight but less so the more the club have become established at the highest level. There comes a point where you have to view yourselves as more than making up the numbers and lose the mindset of just being grateful to be playing in the top division.

Potter appeared to want fans and pundits to view every point gained as some sort of massive achievement - even those at home to opponents who ended up relegated in games Brighton should at this stage in their Premier League journey be reasonably expected to win. Downplaying the Albion and setting the bar low was Potter's way of trying to make himself immune to criticism by making every result seem impressive. Whilst the approach worked at Brighton, it has proven less successful at Chelsea, whose fans are used to winning trophies. Not hearing about how fantastic Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest are.

The Athletic's Andy Naylor wrote in the wake of the Middlesbrough victory that the view in the corridors of power at the Amex is De Zerbi is an upgrade on Potter, raising standards and forging a strong bond with his players. You can see that on the pitch, where Brighton are playing fearless football with confidence running through the side.

Gone are the days of Albion fans being made to feel they should be happy with mere survival and celebrate any point they can get their hands as akin to winning the FA Cup. De Zerbi wants supporters and players to believe they can win the actual FA Cup, qualify for Europe and have the ability to beat any other team in the Premier League on their day.

His enthusiasm is infectious and he has already forged a strong connection with Brighton fans, who have taken the Italian to the heart in a way not seen since Gus Poyet swept into Withdean 13 years ago and turned the Albion from League One strugglers playing long ball football into Championship playoff contenders playing football like Barcelona.

De Zerbi's winner's mentality is clearly rubbing off on his players too. How far can this change in mindset take Brighton? Right now, the sky seems the limit... at least until Chelsea try and appoint De Zerbi, anyway.