In the last 8 matches in the Premier League, Brighton have only scored 3 goals and 2 of them were away goals. Every other Premier League side has scored at least eight goals during that time. With the "Seagulls", Danny Welbeck is the only player to score for them in the last 11 matches in all competitions.
This is clearly not the image of Brighton as usual. In the early stages of the season, they have scored an average of nearly 2 goals per match.
Just 2 months ago, Brighton were 1 point behind the European Cup group and won a ticket to the Europa League knockout round. De Zerbi is even mentioned as a potential successor to Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool. Now, The Seagulls have dropped to the bottom half of the Premier League rankings.
Injuries have plagued De Zerbi's squad for most of this season. They are also one of the teams most severely affected by physical decline. That has prompted De Zerbi to make 131 changes to the starting lineup this season. Their 3.85 substitutions per game is also a record in Premier League history.
Of course, it will be difficult for the "Seagulls" to stabilize in a season when they have to compete in the European Cup. In addition, key players who have been out for a long time include Solly March, Evan Ferguson, Pervis Estupinan and Jack Hinshelwood.
However, the biggest loss has been Kaoru Mitoma. The Japanese winger had an impressive performance in the Seagulls' 5-0 win over Sheffield United in February. However, the back injury he suffered that week ended Mitoma's season. And since then, Brighton's attack has seriously declined.
Mitoma brought a breakthrough in the way Brighton attacked with impressive dribbling ability. The Japanese international was once in the top 5 of the Premier League for his ability to pass this season.
Statistics show that Mitoma's injury has not only reduced Brighton's scoring performance but also caused them to decline in many other aspects.
More than anyone else, the players in Brighton's attack are the ones who feel Mitoma's absence most clearly. Ivorian winger Simon Adingra has tried to fill Mitoma's position, but has not scored since late February.
Since the beginning of March, the conversion rate of De Zerbi's shots into goals has been only 2.8%, the lowest in the Premier League.
More importantly, there is no longer any creativity in the way Brighton have played recently. They have created 5 big chances in the last 8 matches and only Luton Town have the worst statistics.
That statistic is even more surprising, with Brighton having one of the most creative players in the Premier League, Pascal Gross. The German midfielder is second in the assist rankings for this season's tournament.
The absence of Billy Gilmour, who returned in the 0-3 loss to Bournemouth, was also a concern. The Scot was a key factor for De Zerbi before his injury.
As Brighton prepare to host Aston Villa at home this weekend, the two teams are having a big difference in form.
Unai Emery's side have the best conversion rate in the last two months of the season. In particular, Ollie Watkins is in impressive form, possessing both scoring and creativity that Brighton lacks.
That is not the only important difference. Villa are aiming for a ticket to the Champions League next season, a goal that Brighton set this season.
