There’s something beautiful when a talent from a less heralded country breaks out. The likes of Tim Cahill have an unbreakable legacy in the Premier League as some of the trailblazing Australians who made the Australian players realise that the upper echelons of football are not a closed shop for Europeans or South Americans. Brighton’s Cameron Peupion now aims to walk the path paved by those Aussie legends.
So, who is Cameron Peupion and why is he marked for greatness?
Who is Cameron Peupion?
Brighton have made it a habit of getting underrated gems from under-scouted markets and Peupion is set to be another success story. The 20-year-old came from Sydney FC II, the affiliate club of the A-League team, in 2020.
It speaks volumes about their scouting process that they’re getting players from A-League affiliates.
An attacking midfielder by trade, he is also able to play as a central midfielder or as a right midfielder.
He was initially drafted into the Brighton U18s but quick progress has seen him make his senior debut already. The sky seems to be the limit for the precocious Aussie if he keeps up this ascent.
Stats
Cameron Peupion is a “stats darling”. Last season, he established himself as a key member of the Brighton U23s. He made 23 appearances in Premier League 2 and scored eight goals and notched five assists, a remarkable return for a player who is not a striker.
His performances were rewarded with two cameos in the senior team, totalling 15 minutes. Still, managed to make his mark, notching an assist in the League Cup despite playing just 10 minutes.
Clearly, his style of play is such that raw stats are a natural byproduct. Despite all the advanced stats and analytics, putting the ball in the back of the net remains the toughest thing to do and Peupion already has a high ceiling in that aspect.
Style of play
The best of Cameron Peupion was on display in the PL2 fixture against Manchester City last season. The Australian bagged a perfect hat-trick in that game- scoring with his left foot, right foot, and head.
As an attacking midfielder, Peupion is at his best when making late runs into the box, past his striker. Therefore, he would be at this best if plays with a physical presence up front he can buzz around.
His instinct of finding himself in space in the box leads to him scoring a lot of scrappy goals which are worth their weight in gold. In possession, Peupion is a ball retainer more than a chance creator. In short, he is not an old-school No 10, who likes to play between the lines and orchestrate chances.
He is in the mould of a “Shadow Striker”, who is a goal threat despite starting deeper.
Potential
Changing continents at the age of 18 to play with the best talents in England takes a steely mind and determination. To see Peupion take to English football and jump in level so seamlessly inspires a lot of confidence in his potential.
In Roberto de Zerbi, he has the ideal coach who can help improve his game, as he has done with the likes of Evan Ferguson and Kaoru Mitoma, just to name two.
Peupion’s contract expires next year, but considering how impressive he has been and Brighton’s propensity to give young players a chance, it is likely that this partnership will continue beyond 2024.
At his peak potential, he can be what Dele Alli was under Mauricio Pochettino – a goal threat from midfield who is a safe bet in possession but comes alive in the box when the opposition least expects it.
In addition, working under De Zerbi will undoubtedly improve his game in possession and pressing principles. In goalscoring, he has the hard part secured, any maturation and development now will be a step towards making him a more complete midfielder.
The process is already underway as he has been utilised deeper, as a central midfielder, as well as on the right, to hone his tracking back and defensive work.
When one thinks of Australians in the Premier League, the likes of Tim Cahill and Mark Viduka come to mind in an instant.
By the time Cameron Peupion is done, his name could very well stand among the likes of those legends. A long way to go yet, but the potential isn’t lacking.
