Kaoru Mitoma
BHAJapan
Right
May 20, 1997
28
5'10"
161 lb
LW
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One-v-One Creator
BrightonActive with national team
Mitoma recorded 116 minutes of play and scored one goal for Japan during the March international friendlies against Scotland and England.
Analysis: Mitoma hasn't been directly involved in a goal over the last 11 club games, but he has built momentum at the international level shortly after recovering from a mild ankle injury. Despite his scoring drought, the winger should be a consistent starter and a decent threat against most opposition after averaging 1.1 shots and 1.4 chances created per contest throughout the 2025/26 Premier League campaign.
Back available against Liverpool
Mitoma (ankle) is back available for Saturday's clash against Liverpool, according to Fabian Hurzeler, according to BBC Sussex Sport.
Analysis: Mitoma got back on the grass this week and is now in the mix for Saturday's showdown against Liverpool, a major boost for the Seagulls given his locked-in role as a frontline starter when fully fit and his expected return to that spot moving forward. That said, if he ends up starting on the bench against the Reds, Yankuba Minteh is likely to get another run in his place.
Running on grass
Mitoma (ankle) was pictured running on grass Wednesday, the club posted.
Analysis: Mitoma is not back in full training yet but showed real progress Wednesday as he was spotted running on grass at Brighton's training ground. That's an encouraging sign for the Seagulls with two full days left to keep building his fitness ahead of Saturday's showdown against Liverpool. That said, if the Japanese winger is not ready to make the squad, Yankuba Minteh is likely in line to start again against the Reds.
Misses call Saturday
Mitoma (ankle) is ruled out for Saturday's clash against Sunderland.
Analysis: Mitoma is not included in the squad for Saturday's clash with Sunderland after his ankle did not respond well enough during the final stages of training. The forward will need additional time to recover before returning to action. Yankuba Minteh is therefore in line for increased minutes while Mitoma remains sidelined.
Late call Saturday
Mitoma (ankle) is expected to train Friday and will be a late call for Saturday's clash against Sunderland, according to coach Fabian Hurzeler, per Chris Nightingale from Sky Sports.
Analysis: Mitoma will be evaluated after Friday's final team training session, which he is expected to take part in, and how his ankle responds will determine whether he makes the squad for Saturday's clash with Sunderland. If the forward ends up needing some time on the sidelines to fully recover, Yankuba Minteh could be in line for increased minutes with the Seagulls until Mitoma works his way back.
Suffers minor ankle injury
Mitoma suffered a minor ankle injury and was forced off at halftime during Wednesday's 1-0 defeat against Arsenal, according to coach Fabian Hurzeler, per The Argus. "He couldn't continue the game, so that was disappointing for us because I think he showed a good performance in the first half. Now we have to wait for the scan and then we can say more. But we don't think that it's a big injury."
Analysis: Mitoma will be evaluated over the next few hours after picking up a minor ankle injury during Wednesday's loss to Arsenal. The Japanese winger's status is worth monitoring closely since coach Fabian Hurzeler described it as minor, but Mitoma has already dealt with ankle problems this season, including one that kept him sidelined for two months earlier in the campaign. Yankuba Minteh would likely step back into the starting XI if Mitoma ends up missing time while recovering.
Nets equalizer
Mitoma scored one goal to go with two shots (one on goal) and one chance created in Wednesday's 1-1 draw versus Manchester City. In addition, he was given a yellow card in the 69th minute.
Analysis: Mitoma would be the hero of Wednesday's match for Brighton after a goal would earn the club a point, finding the back of the net in the 60th minute. This marks his first goal since returning from injury and his first goal contribution in some time, with his last coming Sept. 13. He should maintain the starting role now that he is fit, with two goals and one assist in 11 appearances (eight starts) this season.
Feeling well after start
Mitoma went 70 minutes in the 2-0 win against Burnley and had no problems after the match, according to manager Fabian Hurzeler. "It was his first start after a long time. But he collected some game minutes before, so we are quite confident that he will be able to start the game."
Analysis: Mitoma had been out since late September with a couple nagging injuries, but he returned in December and eventually built his fitness enough to start. The hope is that he can keep building and staying healthy. When fit, Mitoma is a regular in the XI, producing one goal and one assist from six shots and seven chances created in his first six starts this season.
Selected for bench
Mitoma (illness) is on the bench for Tuesday's match against West Ham.
Analysis: Mitoma was likely to be an option for Tuesday and is with the team, as the attacker is recovered rom his illness. His main goal moving forward will be to get back into a starting role, as he started in the first six games of the season before an injury, only appearing off the bench twice since then.
Option for Tuesday
Mitoma (illness) is an option for Tuesday's match against West Ham, according to manager Fabian Hurzeler. "Kaoru will be back."
Analysis: Mitoma was battling an illness and missed the last match, but is set for his return this week, making the short turnaround to face West Ham. This is huge news for the club after only returning from injury three games ago, hoping to start to ramp up his minutes. He has yet to start since returning, likely to earn back that role in the coming games, starting in all six games to open the season.
Out with illness
Mitoma was out for Saturday's 2-1 loss to Brighton due to an illness, according to Andy Naylor of The Athletic.
Analysis: Mitoma was not with the team Saturday as he hit the sidelines due to an illness, not fit enough to make the team sheet. Luckily for the club, he last earned a start Sept. 27, so this didn't force a change. However, they are trying to get the attacker back fit and into a starting role after over a month injured, a bit of a setback in the process.
Four crosses as sub
Mitoma recorded four crosses (two accurate) and two chances created in Saturday's 0-0 draw against Sunderland.
Analysis: Mitoma made his second appearance after returning from injury. He had started each of the first six games this season before he picked up his injury. In this game, he created two chances and attempted four crosses in what was only a 26-minute substitute appearance.
Carefully managed in return
Mitoma is carefully managed in his return from an ankle injury and will face limited minutes in order to build his competitive fitness back, coach Fabian Hurzeler said in a press conference. "Kaoru is in a good place and now it's about him getting into his best possible shape. It was always the plan for him to only play 30 minutes today."
Analysis: Mitoma was planned to play half an hour in Saturday's clash against Liverpool, as his minutes are being limited after returning from a long term ankle injury. The winger will likely build his competitive fitness back in the upcoming fixtures to ensure he does not face any setbacks related to his injury. That said, once fully back fit, Mitoma will claim back an undisputed starter role in the frontline of the Seagulls.
Makes bench Saturday
Mitoma (ankle) is on the bench for Saturday's clash against Liverpool.
Analysis: Mitoma has been training with the team for weeks and is a potential option to return to action from the bench Saturday against Liverpool. After spending two months on the sidelines, coach Fabian Hurzeler tempered expectations in the media, stressing that the winger will need time to regain full match fitness. His inclusion among the substitutes would allow for a gradual reintegration rather than an immediate full workload.
Should be available Saturday
Mitoma (ankle) has trained well this week and should be available for Saturday's clash against Liverpool, coach Fabian Hurzeler said in the press conference, according to The Argus.
Analysis: Mitoma has been training for weeks with the team and is again a potential option to come back for Saturday's clash against Liverpool. That said, after two months on the sidelines, coach Fabian Hurzeler said to the media not to hope a lot from the winger once back on the pitch since he will have to build his competitive fitness back.
Missing from call
Mitoma (ankle) is out for Sunday's match against West Ham.
Analysis: Mitoma is not with the team after his setback, as the attacker is still on the outside looking in due to his ankle issue. This is rough for the attacker, as he last played over two months ago, hoping his return can come soon and ahead of Christmas.
Small setback, could be back
Mitoma (ankle) suffered a small setback in training but is again a late call for Sunday's clash against West Ham United, coach Fabian Hurzeler said in the press conference, according to The Argus.
Analysis: Mitoma suffered a little setback in training ahead of the game against Aston Villa but could be back available for Sunday's clash against the Hammers. That said, Mitoma has often been a late call in recent weeks and will hope that this time will be the good one to finally make the match squad again after missing all the games since late September. The left winger will look to claim back his undisputed starting role in the frontline of the Seagulls once fully back fit.
Late call against Aston Villa
Mitoma (ankle) trained with the team on Monday and will be a late call for Wednesday's clash against Aston Villa, coach Fabian Hurzeler said in the press conference. "Kaoru was training yesterday [Monday] and he will train today. Then we have to make a decision if he's an option for the squad. But he's definitely really close."
Analysis: Mitoma is very close from making his return from a long term ankle injury since he has been back in team training and will face a late fitness decision ahead of Wendesday's clash against Aston Villa. That said, after more than two months on the sidelines, the Japanese will likely be eased back in the mix before claiming back his starting role on the left wing for the Seagulls.
Aims return before Christmas
Mitoma (ankle) aims a return before Christmas as he is getting close to make the match squad, coach Fabian Hurzeler said in the press conference, according to Derren Howard from Sussex Express. "Kaoru is close."
Analysis: Mitoma has been training with the team for several weeks and is nearing a return that should arrive before Christmas. The Japanese forward remains out for Sunday's clash against Forest but a return in one of the early games of December against Aston Villa, West Ham United or Liverpool is likely to happen. Until he is deemed fit enough to rejoin the match squad, Diego Gomez is expected to remain a starter in the frontline for the Seagulls.
Doesn't have clear timeline
Mitoma (ankle) was spotted training on Saturday but doesn't have a clear timeline to return, coach Fabian Hurzeler said in the press conference, according to Johnny Cantor.
Analysis: Mitoma is progressing well after being spotted training with the team, but his status remains uncertain because he still does not have a clear timeline to return. He could make the match squad in upcoming fixtures, and that will likely depend on his sensations after the final training sessions before games. Until then Diego Gomez is expected to hold a larger role for the Seagulls in the frontline.
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