Scout Reports

Scout Report – Jose Izquierdo

Brighton and Hove Albion broke their club transfer record once again to sign left-winger Jose Izquierdo from Club Brugge. The fee is understood to be in the region of £13.5m.

The Columbian international is the promoted side’s tenth addition during a summer spree that has also seen previous record signings Australian goalkeeper Mat Ryan and Dutch midfielder Davy Propper join, as the Seagulls seek to hold on to their top-flight status.

Manager Chris Hughton said the 25-year-old’s experience at club level in European and domestic competitions, as well as on the international stage, were key factors in the move:

Jose is someone we have been aware of for sometime and has been one of the standout players in the Belgian league over the past three years. Jose has good experience with almost 250 senior games in both Colombia and Belgium, and has played in the Europa League, Champions League and international football, having made his debut for his national team this summer.

Brighton’s new signing added:

The club believed in me. They took the time to follow my football, showed me the project for Brighton and the new challenge to be in the Premier League. I liked it and made the decision to join. The record fee is a motivation; we feel pressure in other ways, so you can’t think of the fee like that. You have to think that they paid that money because you deserve it. You have to keep this in mind and work like that. Every day you have to improve yourself and give everything for the club. The Premier League is a top league and I hope I can show my qualities and help the team.

The History

Born in Pereira in Columbia, Izquierdo starting playing youth football as a goalkeeper before moving to an outfield wing role. He was signed by his home side Deportiva Perera at the age of 18 and over a four-year spell racked up 83 appearances, scoring 15 times.

A move to Columbian side Once Caldas followed in which his scoring output improved markedly, finding the net on 13 occasions in 45 appearances.

This was enough to attract the attention of Club Brugge, who signed him ahead of the 2014/15 season. He quickly became a regular for the Belgian top-flight side, appearing 117 times, including 84 league appearances during his three-season stay.

He scored 13 league goals in his debut season and another seven in 2015/16 as he helped Brugge lift the Belgian First Division title. His performances that year earned him the Belgian player of the year award, known as ‘the Golden Shoe’.

His final campaign proved to be his most prolific in terms of scoring – 14 times in 32 appearances – including a hat-trick against Charleroi and braces against Oostende and Mouscron in the league.

He was also a regular in the Brugge first XI during their European Cup encounters, appearing 11 times in the Europa League and four times in the Champions League, where he scored against Leicester City in the group stages last season.

Izquierdo, who has a pet pig called Peter with its own Instagram account and has been known to wear sunglasses during his goal celebrations, debuted for the Columbian national team in a June friendly against Spain and scored in his second outing later that month, against Cameroon.

The Prospects

Chris Hughton struggled to find consistency on the left side of midfield in his preferred 4-4-2 system last season, with the defensively-minded Jiri Skalak preferred in tough away matches and Solly March and Jamie Murphy sharing that berth in easier home fixtures.

But with a move to a 4-4-1-1 formation in the Premier League, Hughton has decided that consistency, pace and big match experience is required down that flank.

Izquierdo’s tendency to cut inside from the left at speed and shoot with his stronger right foot will be crucial if the Seagulls are to find the firepower needed for survival, particularly after successive blanks in their opening two Premier League fixtures.

Hughton said:

“He’s a very exciting player to watch, and along with that excitement, he will bring pace and creativity to the team; he also has an excellent goalscoring record.”

While primarily a left winger Izquierdo – who has been handed a 6.0 FPL price tag – also offers Hughton further options up front as he can also play on the right wing and in the support striker berth currently occupied by another summer signing, Pascal Gross.

His underlying statistics across his four Champions League appearances indicate he can deliver goals, with four of his nine shots on target.

Across his 15 European appearances, he registered a shot every 35.4 minutes, which compares favourably with Skalak’s shot every 76.6 minutes in the Championship last season and slightly better than the Seagulls’ set-piece specialist Anthony Knockaert’s rate of a shot every 35.6 minutes last season.

His 82% successful pass rate in Europe also suggests at baseline bonus potential, although he created just one chance over 260 minutes at this level to dampen enthusiasm regarding assists.

In addition, across 958 minutes of European action, he mustered just five key passes and failed to register an assist. His key pass rate at European level was just one every 191.6 minutes.

Nevertheless, in the league with Brugge he did accumulate 19 assists across three campaigns, but nine of these arrived during Brugge’s title-winning season and he only managed three last time out.

Rested for Brighton’s Carabao Cup match with Barnet, a start away to Watford could be on the cards, although reports suggest he will only make the bench having only started training with his new team-mates this week.

There could also be a question mark regarding his minutes for Gameweek 4’s home clash with West Brom as Columbia play a World Cup qualifier at home to Brazil just four days before the Baggies’ visit.

Further Reading

Jose Izquierdo Wikipedia

Jose Izquierdo Transfer Markt Page

Jose Izquierdo You Tube Highlights

J0E Podcaster and writer. Tweets stats and stuff via @FFScout_Joe Follow them on Twitter

1,384 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Lord of Ings
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Hey.. would you start Mounie or Willian this week? having a dilemna here! Soton do look kind of poor at the moment... leaning towards Mounie..help ASAP please.

    1. Punty McPuntface
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Mounie for me

      1. FER FUSCH AKE
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        I have mounie in my team but I'd rather start willian , Everton looked horrible against split

    2. Egg noodle
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Willian

    3. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Mounie

    4. Hot Fuzz
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      I like Willian better but you quit right with your comment sooooooo is not much help here ...coin toss maybe.. haha good luck LOI

    5. Fred54
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      That is a toughie..I'm biased though because I always play forwards and set team up that way.

    6. Homer21
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      I will be starting both!

  2. Raf
    • 15 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Little help guys,

    Foster

    Bertrand suttner davies

    Miki erik ward-prowse salah

    Kane(c) kaku mounie

    Elliott carrol daniels mee

    Good to go?

    1. MTPockets
        6 years, 9 months ago

        yep

      • McNulty
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        JWP benched, play Carroll

    2. corderz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Play one of these:

      A) Dawson - STK (H)
      B) Danilo - BOU (A)
      C) Stephens - HUD (A)

      1. wulfrunian
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        a

    3. wulfrunian
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Morning all!
      Phillips or Ritchie?

      1. Delph & Safety
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Phillips

        1. bojack
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          Either look decent this week but I'd go for Phillips.

      2. FER FUSCH AKE
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Philips

        What is Ritchie still doing in your team

      3. wulfrunian
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Thanks all

    4. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Info for kdb sellers.
      (Not scientific)
      Kdb trolls me every season. When I have him he blanks and when I ship him he usually double figure hauls.

      I got rid during the week.

      1. GE
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Thanks, I keep 😉

        1. DA Minnion (Former great)
          • 11 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          You would be wise to.

      2. Kun Tozser
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Have to keep him for the long terms - looks great up to GW28

        1. DA Minnion (Former great)
          • 11 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          I know but I don't have the patience for that.

      3. Netley Lucas
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        He's an indulgence, a luxury, a bank

      4. Delph & Safety
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Yeah that's why I've held on to him, although many newspapers predicting he drops to the bench for Bernardo silva.

        1. DA Minnion (Former great)
          • 11 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          That would be great. It's a horrible feeling when the player you've ditched goes mental .

      5. Yozzer
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Will he even start is my worry. I've seen a few predicted line ups with no KDB

        1. DA Minnion (Former great)
          • 11 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          Hope not. Vindication is a lovely feeling.

      6. Homer21
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Good to know, i'll hold for another week so

    5. Punter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Morning just a quick one, need to bench one of these:

      A) Lowe (SOU)
      B) Carroll (cry)

      Thanks!

      1. kime67
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        carroll is gonna get an assist today

        1. Punter
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          Tell me more...

      2. skodaole2
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Bench Carroll,SOU need a pen to score

    6. Juansilvagas
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Colombia. Colombia. Colombia.

    7. kime67
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      in my wc team
      a) moreno and can
      b)yoshida and carroll

      1. DA Minnion (Former great)
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        B.

    8. MANGE TOUT RODNEY
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Even if KDB doesn't play I'm not bothered as have super sub Sir Tom of Carroll to come off the bench.

      1. kime67
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        he was horrible vs everton

        1. That Was Easy!
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          LOL @ anyone who thinks kdb was horrible last game. Played his role well.

    9. Jairzinho
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      What do we think the attendance will be at Wembley tomorrow?

      1. Team Cruel
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        60k

      2. MANGE TOUT RODNEY
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        3

      3. Netley Lucas
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        if bur take it up, 73?

        1. Jairzinho
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          Away fans are given 3,000 seats.

          1. Netley Lucas
            • 8 Years
            6 years, 9 months ago

            70 spuds = 73?

            1. Jairzinho
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 13 Years
              6 years, 9 months ago

              Got ya.

    10. For Fuchs Sake
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Lukaku and Kane are so close in the poll!! Been with Kaku both GWs, dare I take it off him?

      1. kime67
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        kaku can get yo max 2 goals, kane can get you 4-5

        1. Cok3y5murf
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          Please stop. Lukaku scored 4 last season and Kane didn't score more than 4 either.

        2. Kolarov Fpl Legend
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          Is that written in the stars or you can see the future?

      2. @fpl_phenom
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Iv been Lukaku wk 1 and 2 . Gone with Kane this week

    11. Team Cruel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Hurricane Harvey in USA today. Rumours saying Hurrikane Harry to arrive in London tomorrow.

      1. Jairzinho
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Post of the day

      2. DA Minnion (Former great)
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Hurricanes blow hot and cold in August.

    12. Karan14
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      How do we think West Ham will line up when Arnie, Awey, Lanzini & Antonio are all available?

      1. barracuda
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Awey will drop I think

        1. Don Van Vliet
          • 10 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          Who's Awey?

      2. NachoMan
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Awey with yew

    13. Jimbo-Jones
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Ok to save FT?

      DDG
      Bertrand Stones Dawson Kolasinac
      KDB Carroll Ramsey
      Lukaku (c) Kane Firmino

      Elliot, JWP, Dunk, RLC

      1. kime67
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        its gonna be ok

    14. Essem
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Is it worth taking a risk that we will get the Man City lineup before deadline? I'm considering Jesus-->Lacazette and KDB-->Eriksen if Jesus and KDB gets benched. Could be a potential disaster if the transfers get registred for the next gameweek before both Eriksen and Lacazette have played this gameweek.

      1. Essem
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        The plan is to monitor the Man City twitter feed while on lunch break haha

      2. MTPockets
          6 years, 9 months ago

          I'd only try doing that if already planning to wildcard.

        • Delph & Safety
          • 6 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          You always find out the lineups 1 hour before KO.

          1130 is when you will find out but the deadline is also 1130. There's no way you will have time to make transfers haha.

      3. Jafooli
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Very interesting tweet, what you make of it?

        1. Team Cruel
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          Can't believe he's ruled out.

        2. ⚽️ Dingo ⚽️
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          Will he play against Poland next week?

        3. Netley Lucas
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          Couldn't wait til 9, half mile walk te bargain booze, empty, nice clean kill... got to counter with 8 pint cans of ex, bloody Elsie Tanner buying a shedload of lotto!!!!!!!!!!!!, massive discussions with the server, leisurely chatting away as if there wasn't a big 53yr old raging booze hound just behind her, sigh

          1. Jafooli
            • 12 Years
            6 years, 9 months ago

            8 ACE 😆

        4. Stats Don\'t Lie
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          What tweets?

        5. Fred54
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          I didn't know the cop was a prostitute.

      4. Wild Rover
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        High five to Aguero cappers o/

        1. Your Mum's Athletic
          • 12 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          o/

        2. Syd.
          • 15 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          o/

        3. bigbudgie
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          I have him, that's enough

          1. Wild Rover
            • 13 Years
            6 years, 9 months ago

            Better than nothing I suppose 😉

        4. noquarternt
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          Keeping the faith... o/

        5. Cok3y5murf
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          Didn't see him in the training pics

          1. Wild Rover
            • 13 Years
            6 years, 9 months ago

            😯

            1. Cok3y5murf
              • 7 Years
              6 years, 9 months ago

              😛

      5. Stats Don\'t Lie
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Rather strong draft team. Who to bench?

        Fab, bego
        Kosc, Alder, Stephens, Dann, Nyom
        Mane, pogba, sterling, ayew, fabregas
        Aguero, rooney, gray

        1. That Was Easy!
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          KOSc, Stephens, Fabs

          1. Stats Don\'t Lie
            • 9 Years
            6 years, 9 months ago

            Thanks

      6. WE GO FOR IT
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Never thought I'd be asking this
        Start Sane or Jordan Ayew?

        1. It’s gonna Ben Mee
          • 10 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          Ayew

        2. kime67
          • 6 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          sane ofc

        3. Stats Don\'t Lie
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          ayew

        4. Delph & Safety
          • 6 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          Ayew, sane looked awful against Everton and unlikely to start.

        5. Fred54
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          Ayew.

        6. WE GO FOR IT
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          Cheers everyone. Ayew it is!

      7. It’s gonna Ben Mee
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Start one:

        A) Xhaka
        B) Carroll

        1. Stats Don\'t Lie
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          A

        2. kime67
          • 6 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          b!

      8. johnnybeefcake
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        is trippier fit?

        1. kime67
          • 6 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          cant believe no one asked poch that in the presser

          1. johnnybeefcake
            • 6 Years
            6 years, 9 months ago

            so should I risk it with him or take him out and play it safely?

        2. grumpyman
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          73.7% chance he will start according to my calculations.

      9. faver
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Mbemba or Daniels to start?

      10. Syd.
        • 15 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Breaking News

        Watford have agreed a fee with Arsenal for Kieran Gibbs

        1. fedolefan
          • 10 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          Wenger is shipping out everyone.

          Gibbs, Gabriel, Mustafi, Szczesny. All that's left is for Sanchez and Ozil to depart on deadline day.

          1. Fred54
            • 9 Years
            6 years, 9 months ago

            Still got Xhaka though. That's all they need.

        2. THFC4LIFE
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          Great signing for them

      11. @FuzzyWarbles
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Gibbs heading to Watford. Holebas under immediate threat?

        1. Wild Rover
          • 13 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          You'd think so

          1. @FuzzyWarbles
            • 13 Years
            6 years, 9 months ago

            Bummer, really had plans of getting him in on a WC, Holebas.

        2. kime67
          • 6 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          holebas is5times better

      12. Athletic Nasherbo
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Which one to do?

        A) Play T.Carroll CRY (A)
        B) Play Monreal LIV (A)
        C) take a hit to take Monreal out and play the player I bring in

        Cheers

      13. Hot Fuzz
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Thats so funny...everyone is wishing everyone a good morning ...its 4:28 in the afternoon at my place.....had allready my nanna nap hahahaha 🙂

        1. Syd.
          • 15 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          Good afternoon

          1. Hot Fuzz
            • 7 Years
            6 years, 9 months ago

            thanks........ 🙂 u 2 later on...

        2. bojack
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          Where's your place?

          1. Hot Fuzz
            • 7 Years
            6 years, 9 months ago

            Western Australia

            1. Fred54
              • 9 Years
              6 years, 9 months ago

              So did KdB start or not then?

              I mean you are from the future....

            2. Danno - Emre Canada
              • 9 Years
              6 years, 9 months ago

              Darts on in Perth

      14. bojack
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        At the beginning of last season, who'd have thought Chelsea would run out comfortable winners of the league. At this point, either United or City looked most likely.

        Worth remembering how little two weeks actually tells us about what's going to happen and who'll play well.

        1. noquarternt
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          You mean don't kneejerk to get Pogba Mhki and Lukaku in?

          uh oh...

          1. bojack
            • 7 Years
            6 years, 9 months ago

            Aye!

      15. noquarternt
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Remember last Saturday when everyone thought Mane was going to be benched? But it ended up being Salah?

        RE: KDB fears- any of their players could be benched, there is no real hard info on here, so make the decision based on what you think will happen- these journalists are only guessing as well.

        As for 'fan forums'...how anyone could take anything they say into account is insane. They're just mad speculators blinded by their favourite players.

        1. Syd.
          • 15 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          Nobody knows it's all guessing and pure speculation

        2. ⚽️ Dingo ⚽️
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          Correct.

        3. MTPockets
            6 years, 9 months ago

            Jesus concerns me more than KDB, but nothing I can do about either now without hits.

          • Delph & Safety
            • 6 Years
            6 years, 9 months ago

            Very well said - all city's players at risk of rotation.

        4. Paris Ganja Man
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          RLC owner here.
          Chalobah or Carroll as best long term replacement?

          1. Yome
            • 12 Years
            6 years, 9 months ago

            Carroll, Swansea have great fixtures

          2. @FuzzyWarbles
            • 13 Years
            6 years, 9 months ago

            RLC is thought to be ready in time for GW4 yeah? I think I'd rather have him over Carroll at this point. Carroll has FPL makeup but will Swansea ever score goals?

        5. Unsuccessful
          • 10 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          Been playing the Free Agency market and have got this for my FPL draft league this week. I think it's taken shape fairly well. It's also quite bandwagonish

          Foster
          Bailly, Bertrand, Bavies
          Ozil, Redmond, Mooy, Jesé, Richarlison
          Kane, Firmino

          Pickford, Mounie, Hegazi, Robertson

          1. ⚽️ Dingo ⚽️
            • 7 Years
            6 years, 9 months ago

            Hegazi over Mooy

            1. Unsuccessful
              • 10 Years
              6 years, 9 months ago

              I did have that, yes. I just got a little twitchy over double WBA defence when I've also got Jesé.

              Cheers