Just one point behind leaders Newcastle and eight points ahead of third-placed Reading after 22 league games, Brighton & Hove Albion have every reason to believe this could be the year they finally return to the top.
Last seen in England’s top tier back in 1983, the Seagulls have waited a very long time for this chance, and the past few years have been extremely excruciating, with some play-off losses seeing them come so close yet so far too many times.
One man who was there for, and took part in, all of them is Bruno Saltor, Brighton’s 36-year-old trusted right-back and captain, who arrived at the club back in 2012 on a free from Valencia.
Speaking to Sport in Spain about the club’s current chances of regaining the top flight, the defender was full of hope, but made sure he didn’t get carried away at the same time.
He said: “It’s looking good. We take the games as they come and what’s positive is that we are managing keep a good gap on third, which is the most important.”
Labeling Newcastle as the ‘great favourite’ to regain automatic promotion, despite only being one point behind them, Bruno also revealed one of his dreams, which could come true in 2017.
He said: “Playing in the Premier League, it’s my dream, and I played 80 games with Valencia, including some in the Champions League. I look after myself to be happy, but finishing my career playing in the Premier League would be the icing on the cake.”
Bruno has been ever-present for The Albion this season, missing only 27 minutes of football, picking up one assist along the way.
