When you think of England's attacking riches under Thomas Tuchel, names like Jude Bellingham, Cole Palmer, Phil Foden, Morgan Rogers, Eberechi Eze, and Morgan Gibbs-White immediately spring to mind. The competition for those coveted number 10 spots is absolutely fierce—so fierce, in fact, that you might not hear Jack Hinshelwood's name mentioned in the same breath. Not for this summer's World Cup, perhaps, but definitely for the future.

Now, you might think it's just Brighton bias to put Hinshelwood in such elite company. And maybe it is. But here's what can't be argued: Fabian Hurzeler's decision to push the 21-year-old into the number 10 role at the end of February has been one of the biggest turning points of Brighton's season. Fans who feared a relegation battle are now dreaming of a top-six finish.

Let's rewind. Brighton had managed just one league win in 13 games when Hurzeler surprised everyone by starting Hinshelwood behind Danny Welbeck for the trip to Brentford. That move ended an abysmal run and sparked a remarkable turnaround: six wins and one draw from nine games.

On paper, Hinshelwood's numbers—two goals and two assists in those nine matches—aren't going to make Bellingham or Palmer lose sleep. But he's one of those players you have to watch live to truly appreciate. His footballing intelligence is astonishing for a 21-year-old. That's why he can switch seamlessly from full-back to number 10, a versatility England already knows well after he starred at both right-back and left-back for the Under-21s' Euro title defence last summer.

Hinshelwood links play brilliantly and finds excellent positions. His one weakness? Finishing. But there are already signs he's working on it—his recent goals against Chelsea and Newcastle were taken with real composure. If he becomes more clinical, double figures next season at Brighton isn't just possible, it's probable. And at that point, his England claims will become impossible to ignore.