Interview with Tariq Lamptey: Brighton player on memories of the World Cup, facing Kaoru Mitoma and his ambitions to improve | Soccer News

“I feel I may see him sneaking in,” laughs Tariq Lamptey. He describes the long-range shot deflected into the web by Lewis Dunk in Brighton’s FA Cup win over Liverpool. “The captain helped me with a contact. If you cannot rating, the cross shouldn’t be unhealthy.”

It isn’t been a nasty time at Brighton and Hove Albion and Lamptey is having fun with his soccer once more. It has been two-and-a-half years now since he first lit up the Premier League and though damage has disrupted his progress, he is able to shine once more beneath Roberto De Zerbi.

“I really feel like I am in good condition,” he says. sky sports activities. “After I come again from the World Cup, I simply attempt to construct on that with the supervisor. I attempt to work as exhausting as I can in coaching, take heed to what he tells us and stand out on the sector.”

Lamptey is 22 now, nonetheless wide-eyed and smiling however with more and more extra work behind him – as this reference to his World Cup winter suggests. He made his debut for Ghana towards Brazil in September and made two appearances for Qatar.

“To be sincere, I simply tried to absorb the entire expertise. As just a little boy, you dream of taking part in in a World Cup. I am grateful to God for this chance. Earlier than the video games you suppose, I am truly taking part in in a World Cup right here. It was wonderful. You guys are so excited.

“My dad and mom had been born in Ghana so it was a proud second for the entire household. My dad and my brother had been within the crowd so I received to see them after a couple of video games. out of the group, however hopefully that is for the longer term.”

He has been impressed with star man Mohamed Kudus and expects large issues from Southampton’s report signing Kamaldeen Sulemana. “He is tough and he has expertise. He ought to have a good time right here. I am unable to wait to play towards him.”

Lamptey is definitely used to being examined in coaching. He has the doubtful honor of dealing with Brighton flying winger Kaoru Mitoma each day. “He is an unimaginable participant. I am not going to offer recommendation on stopping him, however he is actually good.”

Mitoma, now well-known, did his college thesis in his native Japan on the artwork of dribbling. The pair have but to debate particulars. “I’ve to nudge him and ask him about it.” However Lamptey does not take classes from anybody in particular person conditions.

“I might undoubtedly help myself for the tempo,” he says. “However the factor in regards to the Premier League is that each week there is a completely different problem. You come up towards various kinds of opponents. That is what makes it so nice since you develop each week.”

His hardest opponent to date? He names two. “I might say Sadio Mane and Marcus Rashford are the 2 greatest I’ve confronted within the Premier League. They’re simply nice gamers.” However Lamptey’s function is altering and he is making an attempt to give you his personal issues.

Typically a winger beneath De Zerbi, heatmaps present that almost all of Lamptey’s involvement is now within the opposition half. “I do not know if it is as a result of perhaps now we have just a little extra ball within the attacking third,” he stated, inspecting the chart.

“The trendy full-back is anticipated to do the job defensively but in addition to assist the workforce assault. It is excellent for me as a result of I love to do my defensive homework, I prefer to problem myself up entrance. one-on-one towards among the greatest gamers within the Premier League, however I additionally get pleasure from serving to the workforce go ahead, being in assault, getting assists and objectives Each groups are necessary and I can do each, so it fits my recreation properly.”

His expertise are examined beneath De Zerbi, the Italian coach who has gained admirers for constructing on the work of Graham Potter. “Simply this season at Brighton I’ve performed right-back, left-back and on the wing. Wherever the supervisor sees me, I’ll,” he stated.

“It is completely different, to be honest, however I’ve scored on the left this season so it is not unhealthy,” he added, referring to his objective towards Arsenal in November. “I performed in a number of positions at Chelsea. I performed in midfield once I was younger. I am simply completely happy to play, to be sincere.”

Lamptey adopted the intriguing use of Rico Lewis in midfield for Manchester Metropolis. “I feel there are occasions this season the place we have achieved issues like that as properly. In soccer you all the time have to look at and be taught, be adaptable.”

That is key at Brighton, the place gamers anticipate the sudden, with the membership changing into a magnet for relative unknowns who emerge as future stars. Whether or not it is a Japanese winger or an Ecuadorian midfielder, Lamptey all the time tries to maintain an open thoughts.

“I simply suppose in soccer, particularly for me, rising up within the youth system at Chelsea, you see so many good gamers. So I am not likely stunned once I see somebody are available. I all the time imagine within the precept that this particular person has labored very exhausting to be right here and so they need to be right here. I simply can’t wait to see what they’ll do.

What Brighton can do is the large query now. For now, they’re pushing for a end among the many Premier League high flight and FA Cup glory. “It is going properly for us, we’re in a extremely good place, and we’re simply trying to construct on it now,” he defined.

“We simply should preserve bettering. It is good while you win however we will not get carried away. We’ve a extremely good squad, a mixture of youthful and older gamers, and that helps us navigate conditions. The membership as an entire is an excellent place to be.

“As for me, I am simply making an attempt to turn out to be the participant that I do know I may be. I really feel like that is only the start. Hopefully I can construct on that and proceed to enhance. I wish to get as many video games as attainable. I can and I contribute. When the workforce wants me, I will be prepared.”

Tariq Lamptey wears the brand new adidas X Speedportal, obtainable at www.adidas.co.uk/football-shoes