A month and a half after joining Brighton on loan, Ansu Fati remains an impact sub for the Seagulls and mostly starts in cup competitions – the EFL Cup and the Europa League.
Let us explain why he's not a regular starter for Roberto De Zerbi's super team so far.
1. He has a strong competitor in his position
It's Japanese star Kaoru Mitoma who's having another great season in England.
The 26-year-old has already registered 7 goal contributions in 11 games this term. Left winger is Mitoma's natural position – and this is where Ansu would probably like to play too.
2. There are even more talented attackers who have succeeded in big matches
Even if Ansu Fati wants to start as a centre-forward or a shadow striker, he will have to compete against Evan Ferguson, Joao Pedro and... former England international Danny Welbeck who has recently scored a goal against Manchester United.
Joao Pedro has 5 goals from 11 games, Ferguson 4 goals in 9 games, so it's not easy for Ansu to beat them in the pecking order; however, one great performance could drastically improve his starting chances.
3. Ansu still hasn't delivered as starter
The Barca prodigy has featured from the off in three games: against AEK Athens and Marseille in the Europa League and against Chelsea in the EFL Cup.
He was quite average against AEK, which is a relatively easy opponent, decent against Marseille and not good enough against Chelsea which resulted in his half-time sub.
4. Fati is yet to impress even as impact sub
The 20-year-old has already scored a goal for the Seagulls, but that was a really easy finish everyone is capable of.
Ansu would've had a better start to his loan spell if he had converted some of the big chances he had.
