Brian Owen, the Brighton correspondent for The Argus, provides the lowdown on the Black Cats’ latest recruit.
WAS ADINGRA A SUCCESS AT BRIGHTON?
A success? Yes, in his first season – very definitely – but ultimately not really because he is being let go. He left a largely favourable impression and some great memories but anyone looking into a crystal ball this time last year would be surprised at where he stood in the Brighton pecking order by the end of the 2024-25 season.
He was one of the real pluses of that demanding 2023-24 campaign in which Brighton first ventured into Europe. He provided goals, assists and a threat. That was despite often being used on his unfavoured right wing, despite a mid-season injury and despite his absence while playing at Afcon.
He started that tournament on the injured list but ended it as top young player and man of the match in the final as Côte d’Ivoire won on home turf. At that stage one could only see him going on to have the sort of impact at Brighton seen from his wing partner Kaoru Mitoma on the left.
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But the arrival from Newcastle of Yankuba Minteh and his progress, which appeared to be quicker than expected, was bad news for Adingra at Brighton and potentially good news for Sunderland.
WHAT ARE HIS MAIN STRENGTHS – AND WHERE CAN HE IMPROVE?
He’s a winger who can beat players, deliver crosses and score goals. He’s exciting although he can have quiet periods in games and his end product can be mixed.
More importantly, I suspect, there are doubts over his defensive contribution and that may well be a reason why he slipped in the pecking order under Fabian Hürzeler.
It certainly felt like the change of head coach did not work well for Adingra after making such an impact with Roberto de Zerbi. While far from perfect, there is no doubt Minteh showed more appetite for defensive chores than Adingra.
But he mentioned great memories at Brighton in his farewell post on social media and there are several, including his part in the 2-0 win at Ajax.
A consistent end product and his defensive efforts are areas to improve but there is a lot of good stuff to work with there.
WHAT IS HIS BEST POSITION?
Hürzeler certainly appeared to see him as a left winger, looking at other options on the right when Minteh did not play. But Adingra’s goal cutting in off the left at Aston Villa midway through last season, when Mitoma was rested, gave a reminder of what he can do.
IS THE TRANSFER A SURPRISE?
It appears Adingra has seen further evidence that his chances will be limited at Brighton and I would say it is more a slight disappointment than a surprise that he is moving on.
If Sunderland wanted him back in January, it makes sense that they would want him now and their confirmed Premier League status makes a huge difference in terms of the platform and, one imagines, the terms they can offer.
Another reading of this development down here will, inevitably, be that it is a clue that Mitoma is expected to stay at Brighton this summer!