Time to 'take the shackles off' Kostoulas?

Charalampos Kostoulas has a "big season" ahead of him, says former Brighton player Warren Aspinall.

Striker Kostoulas was signed for £29.78m from Greek side Olympiacos in the summer of 2025 and made 21 appearances last season, scoring twice.

However, the 19-year-old started just twice in the Premier League and once more in both the FA Cup and Carabao Cup.

"It's a big season for Kostoulas," Aspinall told BBC Radio Sussex's Albion Unlimited podcast.

"Every time he appeared last season he did something, even if it was five minutes. I think we need to give him a good crack at the whip this time, take the shackles off him and let him go.

"He is chomping at the bit and I think he can be very good for Brighton this season. I think he's raw and has everything in him. He doesn't give the defender a minute's peace. We need a striker who can stretch teams and go over the top - we don't have that player.

"Fingers crossed Kostoulas comes to the party next season. If he could get 15 goals in all competitions I would be delighted. He just needs a run of games."

BBC Radio Sussex's Johnny Cantor added: "We've talked about this striker situation a fair bit, but maybe he needs that opportunity to grow into that role with Danny Welbeck.

"I like him. He's strong despite the fact he's not the tallest - it's difficult to get the ball off him.

"There are different ways of being a good striker and he's different to Welbeck."

Listen to the full episode of Albion Unlimited on BBC Sounds