For a bit of fun in the meantime, we fired up the latest edition of Football Manager, and simulated the game beyond the summer and into the future. We had a look at the starting XI, key subs and manager it predicts will be on show for the Seagulls on the opening day of the 2020/21 season.
1. New season, same division
Good news to begin with: Brighton survived the relegation battle. They open the new season on a glorious summer's afternoon, taking on Leicester City at the AMEX Stadium. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images) Photo: Dan Istitene
2. GK: Matthew Ryan
The Australia international, now worth double what the club paid for him, embarks upon his fourth season as a top tier goalkeeper. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images) Photo: Richard Heathcote
3. RB: Jorge Sanchez
Snapped up from Mexican top tier side America, the versatile defender is given a start in the right full-back position. He's been capped six times for his country. (Photo by ROCIO VAZQUEZ/AFP via Getty Images) Photo: ROCIO VAZQUEZ
4. CB: Lewis Dunk
There was an awful lot of interest, as ever, in the skipper over the summer, but the Seagulls held on to their star defender. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images) Photo: Dan Istitene