FootyRecall Player Profiles
Charalampos Kostoulas: Brighton's No. 9 is also their first defender
Brighton's teenage No. 9 connects a player-oriented press with the runs that follow his drops away from the last line.
- Club
- Brighton & Hove Albion
- Position
- Striker
- Age
- 19
The player and the role
"False nine" captures only half of Kostoulas. He is a pressing second striker placed at No. 9. Brighton ask him to jump towards the ball in their player-oriented press, leave the centre-backs when possession is won, and then return to the danger zone before the defence can reset.
At a glance
- 353
- League minutes
- Four starts
- 2
- League goals
- From 1.35 xG
- 27
- Defensive contributions
- Central to the role
How they play
Against Arsenal, Kostoulas repeatedly dropped below the last line. The centre-back then had a choice: follow him and expose the channel, or hold position and let Brighton connect through him. That movement helped form the first goal. Kostoulas's goal came from the next phase of the idea, when Brighton turned an Arsenal attack into a fast transition and he finished before the block recovered. Brighton made nine final-third regains that day. Kostoulas helps create the conditions for those attacks, even when he never touches the ball.
What the numbers tell us
Four starts and 353 league minutes already exceed his entire 2025/26 league workload. He has 2 goals from 1.35 xG, plus 27 defensive contributions. FotMob's player-trait panel places him in the 98th percentile for defensive contributions and 91st for aerial duels won among forwards. No other listed Premier League forward aged 20 or younger has a useful sample. The rest have played 60 league minutes combined.
How the role has evolved
Olympiacos also used him behind a striker and across the front line, with pressing as his first task. Brighton have moved that off-ball identity into the central slot and added regular senior responsibility.
The season in context
2026/272026/27 Premier League: 353 minutes, four starts, 2 goals, 1 assist, 1.35 xG, 0.06 xA.
2025/262025/26 Premier League: 351 minutes, two starts, 2 goals, 1 assist, 2.12 xG, 0.54 xA.
Cups & Europe2026/27: three appearances across the EFL Cup and Conference League qualifying, with 2 goals and 1 assist. 2025/26: five domestic-cup appearances; 26 appearances, 2 goals and 1 assist in all competitions.
How they compare
League comparisons use the same FPL position and players within two years of age, with at least 180 minutes this season or 900 last season. Other measures identify their provider or competition below.
- 98th percentile
- Defensive contributions
- FotMob forwards
- He has made 27 defensive contributions in 353 league minutes.
- 91st percentile
- Aerial duels won
- FotMob forwards
- The aerial work supports Brighton's press and direct exits.
- Only qualifier
- Young-forward sample
- Premier League, age 20 or younger
- The other listed forwards have played 60 league minutes combined.
Where they can improve
His 0.06 xA matters. Dropping deep does not yet make him a reliable creator, and his combinations away from goal can be untidy.
What we’re watching next
Track whether the shots and box touches survive the dropping and pressing work. If they do, Brighton have built a complete role around an incomplete teenager.