Jack Hinshelwood, a rising talent in Brighton’s academy, excels against Nottingham Forest.
Many questioned Brighton’s choice to trade midfield player Billy Gilmour this summer, but last Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest at the Amex Stadium may have clarified their motivations.
Gilmour, 23, joined Brighton from Chelsea for £7 million in 2022 and left for the Serie A team for about £15 million. At the time, it seems like a major setback for Brighton, given that they had also just sold £25 million to a new player and £6 million to Borussia Dortmund for veteran midfielder Pascal Gross. After suffering a severe ankle injury on his debut, Matt O’Riley is probably going to be out until the new year.
Jack Hinshelwood, aged 19 who is also the academy graduate had a breakout season last year that left him pleased, but he returned this season even more formidable due to a foot ailment.
Due to injuries to Pervis Estupinan and Ferdi Kadıoğlu, Hinshelwood started the first four games at left defense; however, against Forest, the adaptable England under-21 international played in his more comfortable position as center midfielder.
After the game, one Albion supporter praised Hinshelwood, calling him “Billy Gilmour but with goals.” Hinshelwood scored his first goal of the year, although it was his fourth overall for the team in the Premier League after scoring three against Brentford, Tottenham,and Crystal Palace in the previous campaign.
Hinshelwood said, “It’s frustrating we haven’t come away with three points,” to Match of the Day 2. “After falling down early in the game, we rallied admirably to take the lead 2-1 at the half.
“If we can’t find that third goal, we need to stop giving up points at home and instead become more resilient and difficult to beat.” Just another annoying day, that’s all.
“We know we could have had six points instead of two in the last two games, but we’re still happy to be undefeated.”
This Saturday, when they go to fifth-place Chelsea, who looked impressive last Saturday with a 3-0 victory against Chelsea, Hinshelwood will look to hold onto his midfield spot.
Assistant manager Andrew Crofts of Albion commented: “I felt Jack was a real positive in midfield today.” Being able to play so many various positions and at such a young age shows what a great player he is. He plays so well in all three positions—left back, right back, and center midfield—that I have watched him play.
