The 26-year-old winger scored ten goals and eight assists during his first season wearing Brighton colours but says he wants to improve ahead of the 2023/24 campaign
Despite scoring 10 goals and registering eight assists in his first season at the top of English football, Brighton’s Kaoru Mitoma says he’s still unsatisfied with his output in front of goal.
The Japanese international was signed by Albion in the summer of 2021 but spent last season out on loan in Belgium at Union SG, eventually making his Premier League debut last August in a goalless draw against Newcastle.
Despite scoring 10 goals and registering eight assists in his first season at the top of English football, Brighton’s Kaoru Mitoma says he’s still unsatisfied with his output in front of goal.
The Japanese international was signed by Albion in the summer of 2021 but spent last season out on loan in Belgium at Union SG, eventually making his Premier League debut last August in a goalless draw against Newcastle.
Speaking in an interview on the Albion website, he said: “This season, I think I could have done much better – especially in the latter part of the season, when I couldn’t register as many goals or assists. I think I have to look back well into those moments.”
Despite that, Mitoma says he now wants to kick on and improve ahead of next season, who has already spoken of wanting to “take things up a level physically” by the time he returns for Brighton.
That should come as a warning to Albion’s Premier League rivals including Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur, neither of whom qualified for European football this season and will be desperate to take the Seagulls’ place in the top seven next year.
“The fact that I was able to play many games during my first season consistently was a positive thing. It was also good that I didn’t have a major injury,” Mitoma added. “But I have to raise the quality of my play to another level, or the next season will be a difficult one.”
And while the futures of some of Brighton’s other stars Alexis Mac Allister and Moises Caicedo are continuing to make headlines over their futures, Mitoma says he is loving life on the south coast and has plans with the Seagulls next season.
He said: “The city has a good climate, the sea is close, so it’s a really good place to live in. The supporters cheer for us in a loud voice both home and away. I feel a real warmth, they are really exceptional supporters.
“The staff behind the scenes are good people too, I am very happy here. I have gained good experience trying to get used to the new environment and am looking forward to doing even better next season.”
