Brighton and Hove Albion defender Olivier Boscagli has revealed how he saved his career at the club, by constantly asking Fabian Hürzeler about his future.
The centre-back has sat down for an interview with L’Equipe this week to discuss life at Brighton and recognition from the French national team.
He is enjoying something of a career revival after enduring a difficult first season in the Premier League with the Seagulls last year.
Boscagli joined them on a free transfer from PSV Eindhoven in July 2025, after a highly successful stint with the Dutch side.
A transitional season in England followed thought, as an early pre-season injury initially limited his opportunities under Fabian Hürzeler. That has changed this season, though.
Role change
The defender has enjoyed a breakout starting role in the opening weeks of this campaign, playing a key part as Brighton have surged to the top end of the table. That’s despite being shifted to a new, left-back position by the Brighton coach.
Boscagli is now being rewarded for his patience last season and perhaps keeping on at his manager as well.
“It’s a combination of things…” he said when asked about his new status.
“First of all, this year I played in all the preseason matches, unlike last year when I got injured after only five or six days of training.
“This time, even before the season started, I did a lot of physical preparation. First on my own for ten days, then with a trainer for another ten days. When I arrived in Brighton this summer, I was close to being at 100% fitness.
“It’s true that after a season like that, at 28 years old, you might ask yourself, “What’s best for me?” But I already had the answer, because I knew I could establish myself here. I also spoke a lot with the coach (Fabian Hürzeler) last season.I kept asking him where he stood regarding me.”
Milner advice
The defender is also willing to admit that he was frustrated in his first season at the club. But some sage advice from veteran James Milner appears to have put him on the right track.
Now, he’s reaping the rewards.
“One day, I had an hour-long conversation with James Milner,” he added.
“He could see I was getting impatient. We were going on a run of winless matches and the starting eleven wasn’t changing. I was going a bit crazy. I kept thinking, “What’s wrong?”
“And James, who had already experienced this kind of situation, told me, “Either you complain and blame the manager, or you show him in training that you’re the best and things will eventually turn around.” And that’s what happened.”
Like everyone else, he was seemingly inspired by the standards that Milner set, even at the end of his career.
“Yes, even when I arrived early in the morning, he was already there, in the gym,” he concluded.
“If there had been rooms at the training center, he would have slept there (he laughs). He was incredibly driven, always asking for more (exercises). When you’re next to him, you think, “OK, I can’t do things halfway.”
