When Brighton splashed out a club-record fee on little-Jose Izquierdo during the summer, they hoped the Colombian international would have a positive impact on their chances of Premier League survival.
For the most part this season, the 25-year-old has struggled to live up to that expectation, but a 2-2 draw with Bournemouth on New Year’s Day may well be the turning point that sees Izquierdo soon ascend to the talismanic status that justifies his hefty price-tag.
It must be said that the dynamics of the match were markedly different from what we’ve seen from the Seagulls at the Amex Stadium since their promotion to the top flight. Most of their eleven home clashes have been tight and cagey affairs, with Chris Hughton’s side netting just ten times from their nine home fixtures prior to the Cherries’ visit yesterday.
But knowing a victory could put them clear of the pack and Bournemouth in real danger of relegation as we enter the second half of the season, Hughton took off the handbreak and allowed his players more freedom going forward – something Izquierdo took full advantage of.
The South American, who Transfermarkt value at £12.6million, supplied both of his side’s goals, firstly setting up Anthony Knockaert with a driven cross across the six-yard box and then slotting the ball into the path of a free Glenn Murray for Brighton’s second just after halftime, but he could have got on the scoresheet as well; Izquierdo’s attempt to stab home a perfectly-timed Pascal Gross pass demanded a smart save from Asmir Begovic, while a solo run late on was disrupted by an accidental touch that put his shot straight into the body of the Bournemouth No.1.
While Izquierdo will be frustrated that he didn’t emerge as the decisive factor in a 2-2 draw, the cutting edge he shown proved he can be the difference for a Brighton side that boasts all the organisation and commitment in the world but sometimes falls short of attacking quality – especially at home.
What will please Hughton most, however, is Izquierdo’s willingness to embrace the defensive resilience and work-rate that has taken Brighton to the top flight, weighing in with the second-most tackles of any player on the pitch after centre-back Lewis Dunk.
With winnable games against the likes of West Brom, Southampton, West Ham, Stoke and Swansea on the horizon, the stage is set for Izquierdo to come into his own over the coming weeks.
