Having been named the top-flight's player of the month for September, it leads to the question of whether Brighton midfielder Pascal Gross may be one of the best value-for-money signings in Premier League history. In fact the 35-year-old has effectively cost the Seagulls minus £3m - and been involved in 85 Premier League goals over two spells. Nobody has been involved in more top-flight goals than Gross this season - six in five games.
He was Brighton's first Premier League signing in 2017 for a reported £3m from Ingolstadt and left for his boyhood club Borussia Dortmund in 2024 for £8m. But in a surprise move he returned to Albion in January for about £1.7m. Since Gross 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 was away from the Premier League. So has Gross been underrated all this time? Former England midfielder, and BBC pundit, Danny Murphy doesn't think so.
"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," he 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." Gross was Albion's first signing after they sealed promotion to the top flight.
A little-heralded German from relegated Ingolstadt, nobody could have anticipated the impact he, nor Albion, would go on to have. For one he has played in 73% of their top-flight games since 1983. "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," said BBC Radio Sussex commentor Johnny Cantor.
"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.
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