Roberto De Zerbi has labelled Jack Hinshelwood as "the son" of Pascal Gross after the teenager scored the winning goal in Brighton & Hove Albion's 2-1 triumph over Brentford in the Premier League on Wednesday.
The 18-year-old marked his full home debut with a header in the 52nd minute, becoming the fourth teenager to score in the Premier League for the Seagulls in 2023, after Gross had previously cancelled out a Bryan Mbeumo penalty.
Academy graduate Hinshelwood only made his senior debut in May and the versatile midfielder, who operated at right-back against Brentford, has since made six first-team appearances for Brighton in all competitions this season.
De Zerbi has praised Hinshewood for his invaluable versatility at a time when Brighton are hampered with injuries, and he believes that the youngster is playing well beyond his years.
"[Hinshelwood] played another great game," De Zerbi told reporters as quoted by Brighton's official website. "He plays like an older player.
"Jack is the 'son' of Pascal Gross but he has personality, he can play in every position and he is smart. He works like Pascal Gross. He started in full-back position but then he played between the lines.
"I think his best position is midfield but he can also play full-back. The players have to be ready to play in different positions and understand the demands of that position."
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The match-winner from Hinshelwood, presented to him on a plate at the back post by Gross, was scored shortly after the teenager had made a crucial goalline clearance to deny Yoane Wissa from putting Brentford back in front.
De Zerbi believed that his side were worthy of all three points and was pleased with his team's overall performance considering the number of first-team absences due to injury and suspension.
"If we had conceded a goal in that situation after they came two times in our half of the pitch it would have been difficult," the Italian added. "We lost two points in an incredible way against Sheffield United and Fulham, but sometimes we can be lucky as well."
"We have had to transform problems into opportunities this season. We are without ten important players but we are keeping the same level as last season.
"We are playing well. [Carlos] Baleba is not [Moises] Caicedo yet and Igor is not [Levi] Colwill yet, but they can become."
Brighton remain eighth in the Premier League table despite beating Brentford, but they have moved to within one point of Newcastle United in seventh and are just two adrift of both Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United in fifth and sixth respectively.
The Seagulls will look to build on their positive result versus the Bees when they play host to relegation-threatened Burnley on Saturday.
Oliver Thomas
