Diego Coppola Analysis: Brighton’s New Defensive Powerhouse

Sept. 9, 2025, 4:02 p.m.

Brighton & Hove Albion's signing of talented Italian centre-back Diego Coppola on a five-year deal for a fee reportedly worth £9 million from Hellas Verona is an intriguing acquisition for Fabian Hurzeler's side.

 

Debuting for Verona in 2021 after graduating from the club's academy, the 21-year-old made 81 appearances for the Mastiffs and, with two caps for Italy, is prepared for the elevated competition and demands presented in the Premier League.

 

"Diego is an exciting addition for the club. Although he is still young, he is tall, strong and mobile. He will give us a real physical presence. He has made impressive progress in Serie A and deserved his call-up to the Italian national team,” said Hurzeler.

 

Not only is the fearless, imposing and colossal Coppola a towering weapon in the air, but he is also equally successful on the floor to ensure he’s a serious foe for any opponent.

 

Whether playing in the heart of defence or on the left side of a back three, as he frequently did for the Italy U21s and did on his full Azzurri debut vs Norway, the hulking yet agile Coppola is a formidable figure who moves with ease and commands attention. 

 

Boasting notable defensive intelligence, he boasts excellent anticipatory skills, which sees him spot impending danger quickly and routinely disrupt the opposition with his positioning and assertive tackles. 

 

Additionally, the powerful stopper isn’t afraid to get touchtight to his opponents, often stepping out assertively to apply pressure and intervene with conviction. Moreover, how he combines nifty pace with sharp scanning and nimble footwork allows him to turn rapidly to track runners effectively and hinder their momentum.

Coppola’s aerial prowess unquestionably stands out as one of his most outstanding traits. Performing at a consistently high level in the air, his strength, timing, reading of the ball's trajectory and positional awareness ensures this is an integral feature in his arsenal. For a side like Brighton, whose current crop of defenders lack a dominant heading force, Coppola will add a valuable physical dimension and a reliable defensive asset in set-piece situations, while also enhancing their offensive dead-ball threat.

 

Coppola is just as impressive on the ground as he is in the air, for he parlays precision, aggression and composure to flex his muscles in one-on-ones, which should translate superbly to the rigours of the PL.

 

 

Shining in critical stopping metrics such as tackles, interceptions and clearances, this, in alliance with his physical superiority and crafty instincts, should see him thrive in time.

 

While Coppola’s possession game may not yet be elite, it's important to note his cause wasn't helped by him playing for Verona, who had the lowest possession rate in Serie A last term.

 

Coppola is far from limited on the ball, though, as evidenced by his quality long passing and raking switches of play, which regularly catches the eye. Indeed, his capacity to play direct and feed fast attacking transitions should be a perfect fit for Hurzeler's Seagulls, with the aforementioned, when coupled with his solid short passing game, indicating he could eventually shine in a more possession-oriented system.

 

At only 21, there is enough evidence to suggest that his distribution can come on leaps and bounds under Hurzeler at Brighton, where he'll have a fantastic framework to develop this compartment.

 

Representing exceptional value, getting him in such a favourable deal serves as a further testament to Brighton's masterful recruitment department, as he's demonstrated unmistakable potential and has ample opportunity for future growth.

 

“Some big Serie A clubs were also interested, but I think this is the best choice for him, and for Brighton too. I’m very close to him, because I’ve seen him grow. I have nothing but good things to say about him,” Salvatore Bocchetti, who coached Coppola at Verona in their academy and as assistant manager of the first team, told The Athletic.

 

“Brighton have picked the right player, both on and off the pitch. He’s humble, very professional and, despite being young, he already has a strong personality thanks to his experience in Serie A. I am confident he is already studying to improve his English. He is a very committed and focused person. He is physically strong and reads the game very well, but he is also surprisingly quick for his size, a combination that makes him very effective defensively.”

 

Coppola's transfer to the Premier League also gives him the chance to make more claims for senior international recognition under Gennaro Gattuso, Italy's new head coach, as they aim to make it to the 2026 World Cup.

 

While the capture of Coppola is littered with upside, adapting to life in the Premier League and in England inherently comes with its challenges. However, Brighton's adeptness at establishing the optimal environment for their players to flourish and their ability to develop them to great heights make it highly likely that Coppola will become the latest success story for the Seagulls.

 

By Edward Stratmann