Hurzeler: Nobody expected Gross to be this good

Main Club Sponsor

TICKETS

SHOP

Midfielder continues to shine for Albion.

2026-10-18T10:00+01:00

Pascal Gross captained Albion in the 2-0 win at Sunderland last weekend. 📸 by James Boardman.

It was clear from the beginning of pre-season that Pascal Gross had returned with the bit between his teeth, according to Fabian Hurzeler.

The German midfielder has been one of the standout performers in the Premier League this campaign - as well as putting in a stunning display in the Carabao Cup win over Manchester United.

“ During the off-season he's never the person who can lay on the beach for several hours and do nothing,” Hurzeler said of his fellow German ahead of this Sunday's game against Crystal Palace. “He always needs to do something.

“In pre-season you build a foundation for the whole season, you build the physical foundation and the resilience. You build the mindset. ‘What do I want to achieve? What level do I want to reach next season?’

“Pre-season for me is key. How he came back after this break was impressive. He looked so fit. He looked so sharp. He looked so ready. And not just regarding his body, but also regarding his mind. How he spoke, what messages he sent to me, to the team, to everyone."

Such was the former Borussia Dortmund man’s mindset, he hit the ground running. Not only did he win the Premier League Player of the Month for September, but the 35-year-old could become the oldest player with an assist in four games in a row since Gianfranco Zola in December 2002, should he supply one on Sunday.

Pascal Gross leads the Premier League assist charts at this early stage of the campaign, with four to his name. 📸 by James Boardman.

“We saw a different phase already from him,” Hurzeler added. “Then it's just about progression on the pitch and during the season. No one expected that it would be this good. But it also shows that he still has this capacity in his body.

“The second part for me is his understanding of football. He understands so well in which space he has to be. He understands the game plan so well. He understands the different dynamics on the pitch. Sometimes he's just one step ahead than his opponent.

“He might not be the quickest player, but he can be the quickest in the head and sometimes being the quickest in the head is very helpful. For him especially, that’s a good fit.”