NafisaBrighton’s £20m Bid for Flamengo Star Wesley Franca Sparks Premier League Referee Briefing – But Ex-Official Urges: ‘No Need to Panic’
Brighton & Hove Albion are making serious waves in the transfer market with a £20 million move for highly-rated Flamengo defender Wesley Franca, but questions over the Brazilian’s disciplinary record are beginning to stir discussion in Premier League circles.
Franca, 21, has been attracting international attention during the Club World Cup in the United States, where he recently delivered a standout performance in Flamengo’s stunning 3-1 victory over Chelsea. That showing appears to have accelerated interest from English clubs, with both Manchester City and Chelsea monitoring the situation. City reportedly see him as a possible alternative to Achraf Hakimi, but it’s Brighton—under new boss Fabian Hürzeler—who’ve made the first concrete move.
Despite his obvious talent and growing reputation on the international stage, having earned two senior caps for Brazil earlier this year, concerns have been raised about Franca’s ability to adapt to the physical and tactical rigors of Premier League football. In 12 matches across the Brazilian Serie A and Copa Libertadores this season, he’s already picked up five yellow cards—a sign, some say, of potential discipline issues at a higher level.
Cumulatively, Franca has received 17 yellow cards and one red in 132 senior appearances for Flamengo—hardly an alarming total, but enough to draw attention in a league where refereeing standards and expectations differ markedly from those in South America.
However, former Premier League referee Keith Hackett has played down the concerns. Speaking to *Football Insider*, Hackett emphasized the strength of the English game’s coaching and education structures, insisting that young foreign talents are given the tools to adapt quickly—especially at well-run clubs like Brighton.
“What’s great about the Premier League, even if we sometimes criticise it, is that clubs invest heavily in developing players both tactically and mentally,” said Hackett. “Brighton, in particular, are known for their intelligent recruitment and coaching. I don’t see Wesley Franca’s card record as a major red flag.”
Hackett referenced the approach taken with Marouane Fellaini when he arrived from Belgium—Everton brought in referees to help the midfielder understand what was and wasn’t tolerated in the English game.
“It’s smart to bring a ref in, go over the rules, and walk through how challenges are interpreted in the league. That kind of insight can drastically reduce the risk of disciplinary issues. I’d expect Brighton to do the same,” he added.
The potential need for a new left-back has become more urgent amid reports that current starter Pervis Estupiñán is pushing for a move to Manchester United. Securing Franca now could provide the Seagulls with a long-term solution in the position, and ensure stability ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.
While Franca’s aggressive style might raise eyebrows, Hackett and other insiders believe it’s something that can be refined, not feared—especially in a Premier League environment where players are coached, not punished, into adapting.
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