BRIGHTON — Pascal Gross marked a 3-0 win over Arsenal by saying, "I really enjoy life in Brighton, I'm loving it," and September delivered timely recognition as the 35-year-old was named the Premier League's Player of the Month. Nobody has been involved in more top-flight goals than Gross this season, with six in five games, and his form has helped Brighton sit third in the table. He is the sixth oldest player to win the monthly award.
Gross was Brighton's first Premier League signing in 2017 for a reported £3m from Ingolstadt, left for boyhood club Borussia Dortmund in 2024 for £8m, and returned in a surprise move on 2 January 2026 for about £1.7m. That leaves an effective cost of minus £3m for 85 Premier League goal involvements over two spells, with 34 goals and 51 assists in 252 games. "There's an argument Gross is pound-for-pound the best value player in the Premier League over the last 10 years, especially when you look at his goal involvements," said BBC Radio Sussex commentator Johnny Cantor.
Since Gross first joined Brighton nine years ago, only Bruno Fernandes, Kevin de Bruyne and Mohamed Salah have created more chances than his 562, despite the 18 months he spent away. He leads the division in that span for successful crosses including corners with 483, even though Trent Alexander-Arnold and James Ward-Prowse have attempted more, and ranks fourth for passes played into the box. This season he has created more Premier League chances than anyone else with 15, while only Chelsea's Joao Pedro can match his three goals and three assists.
Gross played 66 times for Dortmund, scoring once and assisting 17 times, before returning aged 34. Many wondered if it was a romantic swansong, but Cantor noted, "There may have been concerns that he may not have been able to recreate the impact of his first period at the Amex but that has been dispelled already." The midfielder, who retired from international football after the World Cup, has played every single minute for Brighton in all competitions this season across eight games and has run almost 60km (37 miles) in the Premier League, second only to Everton teenager Harrison Armstrong.
Former England midfielder Danny Murphy said Gross is not under the radar. "The Premier League is shown worldwide, and he has been a part of that for so many years during a time when Brighton have been a shining light," Murphy said. "You don't have to play for a big-six team to be appreciated in the Premier League. Gross is not under the radar, because people know how good he is." Murphy added: "He's an intelligent footballer, with a great football IQ," praising his chop, Cruyff turn and versatility to play full-back, central midfield or as a 10. Albion supporter Maz Mirzadeh said: "If you watch him play, you would think someone's put him in slow-motion settings, but what he lacks in pace, he makes up in superior football IQ," adding, "If he was called Pascal Silva and played for a top-six club he might get the recognition and respect he truly deserves."