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. lennie123456789
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Foster Elliot
    Cedric Jones Fernandez 4 4
    Mane Eriksen Pogba Richarlison Tcarrol
    Kane Kaku Chic

    Think I'm finished tinkering on WC G2G? Thanks

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

      Defence is a tad light imo, love the front 7 tho

      1. lennie123456789
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Cheers just not sure who to downgrade for a better back line

        1. gers23
          • 12 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          Ric to Chaoobah or other 4.5? Gives u money to improve to 4s

          1. lennie123456789
            • 8 Years
            6 years, 9 months ago

            Don't like the idea of playing a 4.5mid every game almost guaranteed 2 pointers

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

    Without looking can you name the guy in this article?

    No cheating now

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

      Iziquedo

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

        This is why you are good at FPL you pay attention to the detail. Did you read the article?

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

          That is the big question. Only time will tell.

    2. Alexis Nonsense
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Jese Izizu Alvares?

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

      Won’t spoil it by posting his name but yeah I can.

    4. Dreams
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Izzy sth

  3. i wanna ORD
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    play one cause i pretty much don't have a choice...
    1) Daniels
    2) Mee

    1. Stockport Hatter
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Mee

  4. Trevez
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Re post due to new page

    Will you remove Kane from your team if he blanks again ?

    1. Alexis Nonsense
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Kane is glued to my team, I want to have his first haul

    2. alfast1c
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      nope.

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

      No I'll hold for Swansea when I will captain him.

    4. Stockport Hatter
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      No

  5. SantiClaus
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Shame RP bottomed - appreciate any help

    A) Richarlison/Jese (rotating), Chico

    B) Gabbiadini, Antonio

    C) Chico, Antonio

    Not sure about west ham double up

    And Davies or Trippier - whos safer atm - surely Rose back after this gw

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

      Richarlison and Antonio would be great
      If not B for me

  6. Ramboo
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Who to play?

    Carroll
    Ward Prowse
    Fernandez

    1. i wanna ORD
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      stuck with that too, might just play carroll ahead of JWP cause he's a starter. takes set pieces too

  7. Trevez
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Re post due to new page

    Will you remove KDB from your team if he blanks again ?

  8. Egyptian Giza
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Is Ake a goal threat? Worth keeping or ditching for a hit? If yes, who to replace with?

    1. alfast1c
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      ditch as fast as u can.

    2. Trevez
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Ditch for PVA for a hit or someone that is likely to get a CS

  9. alfast1c
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Iam kinda convinced that WBA will concede. Its a bout time for the casuals with Hegazi (Foster and Dawson even) to drop. Thats why i went with Daniels > Otamendi and doubled up on CITY defence. Maybe should have gone for Trippier but oh well... Hope this helps to ppl with no wba def /cheers

  10. Kane Train
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    will Stephens play?

    1. alfast1c
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      yes if no van dijk.

    2. william prunier
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      I'd expect him to this weekend. After that it's him or that yoshi that's at big risk

  11. Patty
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Kolasinac > Alonso -4?

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

      I probably would.

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

        Take a look at my team below please...

    2. alfast1c
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      go for it.

    3. alfast1c
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      thou u could end up in tears. lets say, kolasinac scores a header and doesnt concede, but alonso concedes and a yc. plus u got the -4 and in summary its -3 for u and u could have had 19pts 😉

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

      Kolasinac has good fixtures coming up.

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

    G2G or play Chalobah instead of Carroll??

    Hennessey
    Stephens, Stones, Jones,
    Alli, Salah, Pogba, Carroll
    Jesus, Firmino, Lukaku

    (Elliot, Chalobah, Kolasinac, Rosenior)

    1. alfast1c
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      i would playe kola instead of carol tbh.

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

    Front 7 of:

    Miki Mooy Salah Eriksen
    Chicarito Kaku Firmino

    Have Jese on bench but thinking I'll transfer in Richarlison but any ideas who if any I could replace from that 7 for him?

  14. Lord of Ings
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Guys would you bench
    1) Willian
    2) Bertrand
    Help please?

  15. JayBomb
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Quick question pick 1 to start

    A Kolasinac
    B T. Carroll

    Thanks?

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

      B

    2. It's his Job.
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      B

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

        Thanks

  16. Pacer.
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Jose Izquierdo

    i'm really glad for this guy that he didn't grow up in 1980s england

    1. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Hope BT Sports don't ask Stevie G to say his name

    2. Home Run Baker
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      He doesn't like Duran Duran?

  17. It's his Job.
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Thinking of free hit below is my team and free hit team. do I go A OR B

    A- My team Kaku Capt
    Foster
    Hegazi Blind Yoshida
    Eriksen Willian Puncheon KDB
    Aguero Firmino Lukaku(c)
    Subs-Elliot-Carroll-Mee-TAA

    B-Free hit team Kane Capt

    Hennessey
    Hegazi B.Davies Jones
    Silva Eriksen Pogba Mane
    Kane(c) Quaner Lukaku
    Subs-Elliot-Carroll-Mbemba-B.smith

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

      No. Save it

      1. It's his Job.
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Cheers I said to myself if 1 person says no that's it mind made up leave and keep F/T to roll over for break.. Cheers and good luck to you.

  18. gers23
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Decent WC team?

    Foster

    Jones Bavies Hegazi

    Mane Miky Erikson Chalobah

    Kane Lukaku Chicarito

    Elliot Carroll Mee Lowe

    1. william prunier
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Chaloba 2pt

  19. ThisPostsOnFire
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Anyone else captaining Eriksen over Lukaku today?

    1. potatoace
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      I did consider Ali for a bit. I would definitely consider erik if I had him

    2. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Not me.

    3. It's his Job.
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Was thinking this but mine are not the brass kind.

    4. COLLIN QUANER
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Tempted. Think it'll come back to bite me though

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

    Kane(c) tried to convince myself that kaku was the better pick but finally acquiesced, Kane will explode.

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

      Shameless

  21. Fantasy Gold
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Getting itchy fingers with all these rumours.

    Kdb out for a hit?

    1. william prunier
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Was kdb rotated much last season?

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

      please help.

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

      Dunno.
      Same boat.

    4. Mona Lisa
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Depends who for?

  22. Forza Papac
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    KDB > Silva (WC activated)

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

      D SIlva that is

    2. Heels_Over_Head
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Another

  23. Jigger & Pony
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Play Cedric (hud) or Lowe (SOT) this GW?

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

      Cedric

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

      It's a 50/50 for me. But in such a situation I would more often than not opt for the more expensive player.

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

    Laka or Jesus (WC activated)

    1. It's his Job.
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Kaku the form he is in.

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

      Laka

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

      Cheers troops

    4. lennie123456789
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Laca really wanted him couldn't get rid of Kaku or kane though

    5. Arteta
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Laca, trust me.

    6. It’s a Knockaert
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Chicharito

  25. It’s a Knockaert
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Wil Jesus play today? Bailly and Alonso best 2 defenders?

    1. Annie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      he'll either start or come on, definitely some game time.

  26. Visionaries
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Please choose one

    -8
    DDG,
    Hegazi, Alonso, Bertrand
    Salah, Eriksen, Mkhi, Atsu
    Lukaku, Jesus, Chich

    -WC
    DDG
    Hegazi, Alonso, Bertrand
    Mane, Mkhi, Tadic, Atsu
    Lukaku, Kane, Chich

    Elliot, Mee, Hunem, Carroll

    1. It's his Job.
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Liking W.C team Very much but still think Alonso is too pricey you could downgrade to 6.0 or B Davies and upgrade Tadic to Silva

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

        Cheers, might do what you said but go for Sterling. Pep's comments yesterday basically confirmed he'll be starting down the middle

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

    GTG on this WC team?

    Foster
    Alonso - Jones - Cedric
    Eriksen - Mane - Pogba - Richarlison - Carroll
    Lukaku - Kane(C)

    Elliot - Lowe - Mbemba - Quaner

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

    GW4 MNF captain: Hernandez v Huddersfield.

    I taste points.

    1. VS10_
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Or Huddersfield's fourth cleanie in a row.

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

        Löwe up to 5.1.

  29. Cooper123
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    KdB to Eriksen with my free transfer?

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

      Depends on rest of yr team.

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

      i did

  30. kumast
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Play one:

    A Carroll
    B Kolasinac
    C Chalobah