🦁 Premier League Player of the Week: An underappreciated gem | OneFootball

The Premier League returned to action following the international break with some eye-catching results and performances.

One man stood out among it as our Player of the Week …

Pascal Groß (Brighton)

In a Brighton team packed with young talent, it is understandable that one of their elder statesmen us perhaps a little overlooked.

Evan Ferguson, Ansu Fati, Billy Gilmour, Simon Adingra, João Pedro, Julio Enciso, Facundo Buonanotte and Carlos Baleba are all aged 22 or younger and compete for critical acclaim on a weekly basis.

They are arguably the flashy paint job that adorns Roberto De Zerbi’s Seagulls Rolls Royce but it wouldn’t operate without its engine: midfield all-rounder Pascal Groß.

And that was perhaps never more in evidence than in their most recent win: a 3-2 victory away to Nottingham Forest.

It was a game that showcased all of the many facets to his game.

He claimed two first half assists to put his side in the driving seat, perfectly picking out Evan Ferguson with a cute pass into the penalty area for the equaliser.

His cross for the second was again expertly executed – something the Seagulls faithful have become accustomed to with the Germany international.

Those caps he has collected for his country are as a result of these kinds of displays over the last two years.

Late in the contest, another valuable asset in his arsenal was in evidence when his team were put under the cosh following Lewis Dunk’s dismissal and Forest reducing the deficit to a single goal.

Groß was a calming presence in shielding his under-fire defence and adding a degree of calm that was much needed amid the chaos.

His six chances created in the game were more than any other player, while only one man recovered the ball more across the 90 minutes.

Again after the contest, the praise reserved for the 32-year-old largely seemed to come from his own fanbase, who are well aware of his qualities.

Outside of the Brighton support though, his talents perhaps aren’t appreciated enough as his younger team-mates continue hogging the headlines.

Somewhat worryingly for De Zerbi, appreciation is now starting to come from his homeland.

It took long enough for international recognition to arrive but this week, reports have emerged that Eintracht Frankfurt have made Groß a serious target when his contract runs out next summer.

But based on these performances, Brighton should not and will not have any intention of wanting to part with a man who is deserving of much more praise than is currently the case.

If the player wants it, a new deal is a must.