David Burke with new signing Dale Stephens
David Burke tonight reflected on the January transfer window, and has outlined how the club went about its business during the month.Head of football operations Burke says Albion now enter the second half of the season with a squad which is good blend of youth and experience.
He said, "The January window is always very difficult. It's nearly always a seller's market and it's often a time when clubs have to pay premium prices to secure targets. It's very challenging to secure great value - and it's very easy to overpay.
"We sold Ashley Barnes, who was out of contract this summer, but David Rodriguez can cover him. Rodriguez can play out wide as well as through the middle and we really like to have that versatility in our players.
Stephens has joined from Charlton Athletic
"We sold Liam Bridcutt, a player who wanted to leave our club - for a new club record transfer fee - and we have brought in Dale Stephens. Dale is also an extremely versatile player and he can cover any of the three roles in midfield - as can Keith Andrews and Rohan Ince.
"We agreed to let Adam El-Abd leave, so that he could play more regular first-team football, but we are comfortable with the defensive situation. We have three centre-halves and other players who can play centre-back, and we have cover at full-back - so defensively we are fine.
"Rohan has signed a new contract, which is great news for the longer term, and we have exciting young players like Solly March and Jake Forster-Caskey who are great prospects and who are now playing more regularly as part of the squad.
Ince's displays for the first team earned him a new deal
"We have Jon Obika from Spurs, who, for a young man, already has good experience at this level, and gives us that pace behind defences. So, although we didn't expect quite so many changes, it's generally been good a window and we have new fresh blood for the next four months."
Head coach Oscar Garcia now has options in each position, with cover for every position, which has been further boosted by the emergence of young players Ince, March, Forster-Caskey and, of course, Adam Chicksen - something Burke says will continue in the future.
JFC is one of the youngsters making an impact in the first team
"The long-term future of Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club is at the heart of our player strategy. Ideally, we want to have a third-choice player in every position involved with the development squad.
"The key part of their development is to get to train with the first team, and if they get to do that every day and become part and parcel of that group, when they make their debuts it is easier for them.
"The fact that some of our young players are already in the squad and often in the 1st team itself, while still aged under 21, is very encouraging. The great thing about Oscar and his team is that they give the lads a chance in training and, when appropriate, in matches too.
The training ground is taking shape
"We have got a number of young players coming through our system who we expect will make that step up in the future too. With our new training ground and academy facility just around the corner, we can expect these numbers to continue to improve."
Burke also confirmed Albion have the option of using the loan market, should the need - or good opportunities to strengthen the squad further - arise in just over one week's time.
Watch all the deadline day interviews and behind the scene footage on Seagulls Player.
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