With Pedro leaving and Mitoma’s future uncertain, is any Brighton star truly irreplaceable?

Farewell, João Pedro. You arrived with promise, showed flashes of brilliance, but ultimately never truly fulfilled the hype.

So, it wasn’t a shock when news broke of his £50m-plus move to Chelsea. Friends who support the Blues immediately messaged, asking what kind of player they were getting. My honest response? A talented striker, but one with more emotional baggage than a wealthy widow boarding a luxury cruise. He was complex—difficult at times—but did deliver some memorable moments, especially on European nights. I genuinely wish him the best at his new club.

There’s a tinge of regret. When I first saw him play for Brighton against newly promoted Luton nearly two years ago, I thought he might finally challenge the great Mark Lawrenson as the finest player to ever wear the blue and white stripes. But Lawrenson’s spot remains safe—for now.

Interestingly, before Pedro’s transfer was confirmed, a post on the North Stand Chat forum sparked a new debate. One user, ‘Bob,’ suggested that Kaoru Mitoma is irreplaceable. But is that really the case?

Brighton just marked their 124th anniversary, and Mitoma has only been part of that story for four years. The club survived without him for 120 years and has weathered the departures of legends like Lawrenson, Bobby Zamora, and Alexis Mac Allister. History shows that Albion always adapts.

That said, Mitoma is undoubtedly one of the most electrifying players to grace the Amex. In my view, he hasn’t yet reached Lawrenson’s level—nor did Pedro—but there’s still time, especially with a potential standout season ahead. And in a World Cup year, his form could benefit both the player and the club’s valuation.

So let’s enjoy him while we can. Because when he eventually leaves—as they all do—hopefully his departure will be remembered fondly, unlike the complicated farewell of João Pedro.