Brighton owner Tony Bloom sends message to Tottenham's Yves Bissouma & Chelsea's Marc Cucurella

Tony Bloom has sent a classy message to ex-Brighton players Yves Bissouma and Marc Cucurella.

The former was signed by Albion in the summer of 2018 for a fee in the region of £15million and the Mali international went onto make 124 appearances in all competitions before joining Tottenham in June in a deal that could rise to £35million.

The latter signed from Getafe, also for £15million, just under a year ago, and after just one season with the Seagulls, Chelsea secured a £55million deal, plus £7million in add-ons, for the Spaniard. Bissouma became one of the Sussex side's best players and Cucurella won the club's player of the season award last term.

Both were fan favourites at Brighton and now have the chance to play Champions League football this season. While Albion owe a lot to them for their contributions to the south coast outfit, these two stars were also allowed to flourish under Graham Potter and the Seagulls' tutelage, too.

The pair lined up against one another on Sunday in an ill-tempered 2-2 draw between Chelsea and Tottenham at Stamford Bridge. Cucurella played the full match and Bissouma came on with just over 10 minutes to play. Before that contest took place, however, Brighton owner Bloom heaped praise on the duo.

In the programme notes ahead of the goalless draw with Newcastle United, he said: "I would like to pay tribute to Yves Bissouma for his excellent contribution throughout his four years at the club and also Marc Cucurella who excelled last season. I would like to wish both of them the very best for the future."