Club news

Gross Eyes Further Development

By Alex Stedman • 23 April 2018

Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Pascal Gross is targeting further progression after being named the club’s Player of the Season last week.

The German was given the accolade after a successful first season in England, and he insists that he wants to develop further with a full campaign on the south-coast now under his belt.

He said, "Everyone has big aims and dreams to try to keep progressing – to win this award for my first season in the Premier League is also a big thing for me and something I’m very proud of.

“I have to keep going now and try to improve as much as I can, I didn’t sign here with the intention of being the best player here, and I know that I have to keep taking everything step by step. 

“The national team is a difficult one to break into – of course it’s a dream but you have to be realistic. To represent your country is everyone’s dream – it’s the same with Lewis [Dunk] and England.”

Gross’s performances this season have earned recognition and plaudits, and he sits in a lofty position in the division’s standings for the likes of crosses and assists, but he explained that there were still aspects of his game that he was looking to improve.

“I don’t think too much about other people, because I know opponents will begin to look at me. 

“I know my strengths and my hard work – when I do the latter it means I can develop – I believe in myself and I only know about good principals and if you work hard you get rewarded – that’s what I’ll continue to do.

“There is always room to improve – I’m still quite young and I’ll try to keep working hard to get better. I know it’s not easy at a high level but I’ve learnt what I can develop this season – I speak to the coaches and it’s something that I’ll always be looking to do.”

The Seagulls travel to Turf Moor to take on Burnley in the Premier League this weekend with 36 points on the board, and Gross highlighted the need to maintain focus and concentration ahead of the season’s run-in. 

“We’ve got some massive games over the next couple of weeks – the table is so tight and everyone has a chance in every game.

“We have to concentrate and focus because we have some tough games for the rest of the season – we are doing well at the moment but we have to finish the job.”