'We need to support him' Brighton boss urges caution amid Tariq Lamptey media hype

Albion head coach Graham Potter believes Tariq Lamptey needs space to develop and enjoy his game amid the media hype following his fine recent displays
Tariq Lamptey is eligible to play for England or GhanaTariq Lamptey is eligible to play for England or Ghana
Tariq Lamptey is eligible to play for England or Ghana

Lamptey, 19, continued his fine start to the new Premier League season and delivered another impressive display in the painful 3-2 defeat to Manchester United.

Lamptey, who joined Brighton in a £3m deal from Chelsea in January, has thrived in the right wing-back role and won his second penalty of the season against United when Bruno Fernandes sent him tumbling in the box.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The Brighton defender made his debut for the England under-21s against Austria earlier this month and there has already been talk of him forcing his way into Gareth Southgate's senior squad.

Lamptey was born in London but is also eligible to represent Ghana through his parents.

“I don’t think [the media coverage] affected him but it’s something I need to think about,” Potter said after the Manchester United loss. “There was a camera in front of him for god knows how long before the game.

“We need to understand that he’s a young player and we need to let him enjoy his football and develop and allow some space for that to happen but at the same time we need to understand he’s an exciting player, an exciting prospect and people want to know him and talk about him.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“It’s a fine balance but he’s so level headed, he’s such a fantastic character. He doesn’t get too worried about the external noise around him he carries on in the game and wants to help the team.

“It’s part of the noise of the Premier League, it’s part of the show but at the same time we have to understand where he’s at as a young man, a young boy learning his game at the highest level.

"We need to support him and make sure he’s able to enjoy his football.”