Brighton have a good chance of winning the FA Cup, but Kaoru Mitoma warns that beating "great" Manchester United won't be simple.
The Albion are just days away from facing the Red Devils in their semi-final at Wembley, and Roberto De Zerbi's team is one win away from qualifying for the championship game for the first time in forty years.
The Seagulls, who faced Manchester United in the 1983 FA Cup final and lost, defeated Chelsea 2-1 last weekend in preparation for this match, and the Lancashire club defeated Nottingham Forest 2-0 on Sunday. However, Erik ten Hag's team still has to face Sevilla in the Europa League quarterfinals tonight (Thursday).
The Sussex club is currently seventh in the Premier League, 10 points and four spots behind United. Mitoma's team is considered the underdog, but the 25-year-old, who has contributed to seven goals and 10 assists this year, thinks Brighton can win on Sunday.
"They [United] are a great opponent but yes, we have a great chance to go to the final. Winning there on Sunday will mean a lot for the club and we want to give our best to go to the final," he told Brighton's website.
"It will be another tough game They have a lot of talented players, so we have to pay attention to them, look after the ball better, and take the initiative of the match. And if we can play our football, I think we have a chance.”
After Julio Enciso's 30-yard screamer in the 2-1 triumph at Chelsea, the Japanese international has also been influenced by his colleague. The youth, who cost Club Libertad £9.5 million to recruit him last summer, has excelled lately, and Mitoma is fully aware of the advantages he can bring to the south coast side.
The Paraguayan international scored his first goal for the Seagulls against Bournemouth in early April, and the former Kawasaki Frontale star, who joined the Albion for for £2.5 million in the summer of 2021, said he ties up well with him and finds him to be "easy" to play alongside.
“It [Enciso's Chelsea winner] was a great goal. He is young and gaining momentum. I would like to get inspiration from him, ride on it and go on playing well. He is talented, has scored two goals already, and will help the team more," he added.
"He is good at dribbling, so I let him bring the ball forward and it allows me to have one-to-one situations. Or we can use a one-two pass. We have some common understandings and it’s easy to play with him."
Aston Villa wants Kaoru Mitoma
Kaoru Mitoma is a favorite of Unai Emery, who is reportedly prepared to compete with Arsenal to sign the Brighton star to Aston Villa this summer.
Jeunes Footeux claims that the 25-year-old is a potential alternative for Philippe Coutinho and that the Villans are interested in him.
One of the season's biggest surprises has been Kaoru Mitoma, who plays for a Brighton team that keeps getting better. He has scored 10 goals and provided seven assists for the Seagulls in all competitions.
Earlier reports said that Arsenal was keeping an eye on Mitoma. Of course, they've already signed Brighton players Leandro Trossard and Ben White.
However, it appears that if the Gunners want to recruit the Japan international, they will have to defeat competition from their former employer.
Jeunes Footeux claims that Emery is in love with Mitoma and wants to replace Coutinho with him. The Brazilian has undoubtedly struggled since his loan move turned permanent at Villa Park.
Villa supporters must be incredibly eager for the forthcoming window. They have climbed the Premier League standings rather quickly. In fact, it is not impossible for the Villans to place in the top four this year.
They are buying in a different market than what some fans may have anticipated earlier in the season because of their potential. When Emery took over, it seemed like they might be on the outskirts of a relegation fight.
One of the most intriguing players in the division right now is Mitoma. He seems to be having an impact every week, like so many of his Brighton teammates.
He is a 'great' player, according to Alan Shearer. And if Villa could suddenly outbid Arsenal for his services, that would make quite a statement.
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