Brighton and Hove Albion manager Fabian Hürzeler has admitted owner Tony Bloom was convinced about signing Mats Hummels this summer, but there wasn’t enough time to fully assess the German.
BILD cover comments from the Brighton manager today made on their Phrasenmäher podcast, the second part of which is out this week.
The first part of that interview was released last week and saw the Brighton boss discussing how his side had managed to beat Manchester City and comparisons between himself and Jurgen Klopp.
This week there appears to be a focus on transfers and that inevitably meant a conversation about Hummels.
He was linked with a move to Brighton in the summer after becoming a free agent following the end of his deal at Borussia Dortmund.
SportBILD explain that his father and advisor, Hermann, was in Brighton for talks and Hummels had a medical in Munich ahead of the potential move. Ultimately, though, a move never happened, and the 35-year-old instead went to AS Roma.
Hürzeler has now provided details on what went on, revealing that Brighton owner Tony Bloom was totally convinced about signing the veteran at one point in proceedings.
“When it comes to transfers, the first thing that matters is data, data, data,” he said.
“Tony has developed an algorithm for scouting. I was also initially scouted based on data. Interviews are then held to find out whether the candidate’s character fits the club. That’s how it was with me.
“Mats Hummels’ numbers were very, very good. Top 10 of all central defenders worldwide. Accordingly, we were naturally interested and there were discussions. Tony was also totally convinced by the data.
“If you bring in a winner like Mats, you have to look at who you take out of your system in order to maintain the structure of the team, which was not possible in such a short time.”
