Pascal Gross Named Premier League Player of the Month as Brighton Midfielder Proves All-Time Bargain

Pascal Gross has been named the Premier League's player of the month for September, a recognition that has reignited the debate over whether the Brighton midfielder is one of the best value-for-money signings in the competition's history.

The 35-year-old has been directly involved in six goals in five league games this season — three goals and three assists — and no player has been involved in more top-flight goals in 2026-27. Only Chelsea's Joao Pedro can match his contribution, with the pair both on three goals and three assists.

He has also created more Premier League chances (15) than anyone else this season, form that has helped Brighton climb to third in the table and made him the sixth oldest player ever to be named player of the month.

The numbers behind a bargain

Gross was Brighton's first Premier League signing in 2017, arriving for a reported £3m from relegated Ingolstadt. He left for his boyhood club Borussia Dortmund in 2024 for £8m before returning to the Amex in a surprise move in January 2026 for about £1.7m — meaning he has effectively cost the Seagulls minus £3m while being involved in 85 Premier League goals across his two spells.

Since he first joined Brighton nine years ago, only three players have created more chances in the division than his 562 — Bruno Fernandes, Kevin De Bruyne and Mohamed Salah — and that includes the 18 months he spent away from the Premier League.

He has also delivered more successful crosses, including corners, than any other player in that period (483), despite Trent Alexander-Arnold and James Ward-Prowse attempting more. For passes played into the box, including crosses, he ranks fourth, while he sits seventh for assists with 51 to go with 34 goals in 252 Premier League appearances.

BBC Radio Sussex commentator Johnny Cantor believes the case for Gross is compelling.

"There's an argument Gross is pound-for-pound the best value player in the Premier League over the last 10 years, especially when you look at his goal involvements," he said. "However, he also drives standards in training, sets a high bar and is a huge influence in the dressing room.

"Technically he is excellent, has superb delivery but also possesses an awareness, popping up in spaces all around the pitch. Managers have leaned on him, team-mates respect him, and fans of all generations adore him. He will surely be remembered as one of the best Albion players of the modern age."

'Not under the radar'

Former England midfielder and BBC pundit Danny Murphy is not convinced Gross has been underrated at all.

"The Premier League is shown worldwide, and he has been a part of that for so many years during a time when Brighton have been a shining light," Murphy said. "You don't have to play for a big-six team to be appreciated in the Premier League. Gross is not under the radar, because people know how good he is."

Murphy, who was speaking to BBC Sport's Chris Bevan, pointed to the midfielder's football intelligence as the foundation of his longevity.

"He's an intelligent footballer, with a great football IQ. You can see that he has grown into that version of himself over the years. That happens in football — it happened to me — when you know what you can't do, as much as you know what you can do.

"So, you don't see him trying to beat people on the outside with his pace. Instead he loves a little chop, or a Cruyff turn to give himself space and time, or to play a quick first-time pass around the corners. That's why he always seems to be in space.

"His versatility tells you about his intelligence as well. He is able to play as a full-back, central midfield or, recently, as more of a 10. He is scoring and making goals.

"I am sure this won't be his last season with Brighton but, even if it was, he is already going to be remembered as one of the Brighton greats by their supporters for what he has given so far to the club, especially with him coming back and doing what he is doing. It is nothing short of remarkable."

A romantic return that has silenced the doubters

Gross played 66 times for Dortmund, scoring one goal and providing 17 assists, but on 2 January 2026 he came back to Brighton. Aged 34 at the time, many wondered whether it was more of a romantic career swansong.

Cantor said any such concerns have been swept aside.

"There may have been concerns that he may not have been able to recreate the impact of his first period at the Amex but that has been dispelled already," he said.

The midfielder, who retired from international football after the World Cup, has played every single minute for Brighton in all competitions so far this season — eight games in total. He has also run more in the Premier League (almost 60km, or 37 miles) than any player except Everton teenager Harrison Armstrong.

Supporters have embraced the return wholeheartedly. Albion fan Maz Mirzadeh described the emotions of Gross's departure and his second coming.

"When he left for Dortmund, it was like going through a heartbreak and seeing an ex go back to their childhood sweetheart," he said. "He's outrageously good and massively underappreciated.

"If you watch him play, you would think someone's put him in slow-motion settings, but what he lacks in pace, he makes up in superior football IQ, technical brilliance and working harder than any other player on the pitch.

"Even in his 'unc' era, he's showing the Premier League's elite how it's done. If he was called Pascal Silva and played for a top-six club he might get the recognition and respect he truly deserves."

Gross himself has made no secret of his contentment on the south coast. "I really enjoy life in Brighton, I'm loving it," he said after scoring in the recent 3-0 win over Arsenal.

For a player who has featured in 73% of Brighton's top-flight games since 1983, the question now is not whether he has been a bargain — but how much longer the Seagulls can keep benefiting from it.