Brighton and Hove Albion summer signing Brajan Gruda has insisted he is unaware of any negativity about the move and is sure his time with the senior Germany team will come sooner rather than later.
The midfielder has been speaking to Sky Germany, relayed by Kicker, regarding various subjects ahead of the international break.
He’ll be spending this international break with Germany’s U21 side, potentially adding to the seven caps he’s already accumulated since making his debut in September last year.
The hope is that he can use the break to add to his fitness and get much-needed minutes under his belt after a frustrated start to life at Brighton since joining them in the summer.
He only made his debut in the win over Tottenham last weekend, leading some to question whether the 20-year-old made the move to England too soon. He, though, has seemingly managed to stop anything like that filtering through.
“Did a lot of people say that? I don’t know that at all,” he added when asked about the ‘scepticism’ around his move.
The youngster remains a top talent for the future, hence Brighton’s determination to sign him this summer and willingness to pay €31.5m to get him from FSV Mainz.
He’ll now be hoping to establish himself in their team moving forwards, although that will be a difficult task given Brighton currently sit sixth in the table and have a raft of midfield talent to choose from, including summer signings Mats Wieffer and Matt O’Riley.
His slow start to life in England has set him back somewhat, particularly when injuries have opened up opportunities for players, he’s played alongside in Julian Nagelsmann’s Germany squad.
The focus remains on getting there one day soon and the Brighton man is confident that will happen.
“Of course (it’s) a goal,” he concluded.
“Even though the focus is now fully on the U21 (I want to be) an important part of national coach Julian Nagelsmann ’s team (at the 2026 World Cup).
“I’m firmly convinced that my time with the senior national team will come.”
