Lamptey ready for a new chapter

New signing Tariq Lamptey says the club’s belief in his ability as a player convinced him to swap boyhood club Chelsea for Albion.

James Hilsum

2020-01-31T19:31:00Z

Tariq Lamptey is all smiles on the south coast on Friday.

The 19-year-old made his first-team debut for Chelsea in a 2-1 win at Arsenal in December, but sees more of a long-term future with the Seagulls.

He said, “It was a really tough decision to leave as I’ve been at Chelsea since the age of seven and seen it all the way to the under-23s, and then the first team.

“It was a proud moment when I made my Premier League debut, but I felt that it was the right time to start a new chapter and come to this brilliant club.

“The manager and the club have shown great faith in bringing me here. I just hope I can repay their trust, and help the club reach their goals and objectives.

“They are a team on the up with a great fanbase, training ground and stadium and they have everything I need to become a better player.”

The defender was on the bench for the 1-1 draw between Albion and Chelsea on New Year’s Day and fondly remembers the atmosphere that day on the south coast, as well as that incredible goal from Alireza Jahanbakhsh.

“It was an amazing game, and I thought Brighton played excellently in the second half when they scored a fantastic goal,” he said.

“The fans were amazing and ecstatic at the end of the game. While I was warming up, I was thinking that there’s something very special here.”

Tariq Lamptey signs his contract with Albion.

Lamptey spoke about his personal qualities and the players he has admired during his development, which includes two famous Brazilians.

He said, “I’m very hardworking and will give everything for the team on and off the pitch. I’m quick, tenacious, I’ve got good skills and am good in one-v-one situations both offensively and defensively. I give everything for the team and I don’t stop smiling!

“Because of my position, I look at people like Dani Alves for the way he plays as an attacking full-back. He loves to get up and down and is someone who plays with flair and tenacity.

“I also like [N’Golo] Kante because he’s got great work rate. Someone who I also looked up to, although he was not in the same position as me, was Ronaldinho because of his positive outlook on football.”

Transfer Blog January 2020

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