Brajan Gruda Reflects on Brighton Adjustment and Pursuit of Peak Form

Brajan Gruda has stated that reaching “top form” will necessitate “a few games,” following an injury that kept him sidelined during the initial weeks of his tenure with Brighton. Gruda, who was acquired from Mainz in August for £25m, did not make his Premier League debut for the Seagulls until 6 October. He has since made two substitute appearances but has not yet been included in the starting lineup. The Germany Under-21 international, who believes his optimal playing position is on the right wing, conveyed to BBC Radio Sussex: “I have a lot of friends now in the team, I feel comfortable at the club. When I leave training my family is there so I’m not alone, and the city is beautiful, so everything is perfect.” He elaborated on his initial adjustment, noting: “It was not so easy [to settle initially] because, especially when you’re injured, you have everything in your mind and you’re thinking too much.” Gruda added, regarding his current physical state: “Now I’m happy, the injury is going well. Of course, it is going to take some weeks and games to get to 100% and top form but I am in a good way.” When asked about his experience with the intensity and demands of the Premier League, he commented: “It was surprising, there’s a lot of running back and forward, back and forward without stopping. It’s very intensive and a little bit different to the Bundesliga.” Gruda also shared his manager’s perspective: “The manager said I needed a bit of time to get to 100% but he believes in me, he knows my qualities, so not to worry. He’s helped me a lot.”