Sky’s the limit for Brighton's '£50m' Tariq Lamptey – the hype will only build from here

Brighton paid £3m to sign Tariq Lamptey from Chelsea last January – Football, the Albion and Me podcast host Richard Newman looks at the impact he has made and how much he could be worth by the end of the season
Tariq Lamptey, 19, has made a huge impact at Brighton following his £3m move from Chelsea last JanuaryTariq Lamptey, 19, has made a huge impact at Brighton following his £3m move from Chelsea last January
Tariq Lamptey, 19, has made a huge impact at Brighton following his £3m move from Chelsea last January

In the latest column from Brighton & Hove Albion podcast Football, the Albion and Me , host Richard Newman suggests Tariq Lamptey can rise right to the top of the game.

Shortly after the final whistle went in Albion’s brilliant 3-0 Premier League win at Newcastle, Tariq Lamptey stood on the touchline, slightly embarrassed, having been told that former Liverpool and England defender Jamie Carragher had tweeted that he loves the rapid wing-back. Welcome to the mainstream – the hype will only build from here.

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Seagulls fans are starting to run out of superlatives to describe the performances of Lamptey. How much is he worth now, having signed from Chelsea in January for just £3m?

The display at St James’ Park was another level. Despite playing just 57 minutes, he made more interceptions than anyone else on the pitch (four), won more fouls than any other player (again, four), earned a penalty and drew fouls which punished two Newcastle players with yellow cards.

It was enough to win the 19-year-old the man of the match award having played less than two-thirds of a game – some impression.

Lamptey is a player which head coach Graham Potter can build his side around. Explosive pace, raw ability and crucially, he can defend. During BBC Radio 5 Live’s commentary of the game on Sunday, he was described as having a likeness for World Cup winner N’Golo Kante – albeit with more of an attacking threat.

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So how long can Albion keep hold of such a talent? Returning to the question posed earlier, how much would he cost now? £30m? A whole of a season of this, £50m?

Fans will be hoping it is not a discussion which needs to be had, but it is an indication of his rapidly rising stock. Come next summer, Lamptey could be legitimately be knocking on the door of England’s European Championship squad.

This is a golden age for England right-backs, with Trent Alexander-Arnold, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Kyle Walker, Reece James, Kieran Trippier all impressing but Lamptey is starting to enter the conversation.

Former professional footballers, like Carragher, are taking notice and the noise will grow but Brighton seems to be the perfect place for him to learn his trade.

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Having taken the bold decision to leave Chelsea earlier this year, Lamptey has found a coach in Potter and role model in Bruno Saltor who can help him fulfil his potential.

Lamptey, in an interview with Sky Sports, talked about how the team’s style of play suited him and that the players have brought into a “clear project”.

Lamptey is going to light up the Premier League this season – let’s just hope fans will eventually be able to watch him live.

Do Albion need a ‘silver bullet’?

The focus of many supporters all summer has been on Albion’s need for a new striker – they are light of options up top. But crucially, the existing forwards needed to start converting chances which were last season not being taken. How pleasing for Potter then that Neal Maupay (two) goals and Aaron Connolly were on the scoresheet in the north east.

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Potter has mentioned that he does not need to find a ‘silver bullet’ solution to the issues up front. Perhaps he’s right – but a third option (or is that Alireza Jahanbakhsh?) is probably needed to offer back up before the transfer window shuts in a fortnight.

This column rates Maupay especially extremely highly and he could have a very productive season, but an experienced head might especially help develop the raw Connolly.

More chances for second string to impress at Preston

The manner of an Albion second string taking apart League One Portsmouth 4-0 in the Carabao Cup last week was extremely impressive and demonstrated a growing strength in depth.

Experienced heads Davy Propper and Dale Stephens ran the show in central midfield, Dutch international Joel Veltman made an assured first-team debut and the often frustrating but likeable Jahanbakhsh demonstrated his potential, albeit against lower league opposition.

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Viktor Gyokeres, Alex Mac Allister, Jayson Molumby et al will likely be given another opportunity to impress in Wednesday’s League Cup third round tie at Preston and could give Potter something to think about going forward.

Football, the Albion and Me is a podcast which interviews Brighton & Hove Albion favourites from across the decades. All designed to be largely non-time specific, guests, which have included Mark Lawrenson, Matthew Upson, Ashley Barnes, Nathan Jones, Brian Horton, Peter Ward and Terry Connor, discuss key moments from their football career and name a 5-a-side team made up of the best players they’ve played with.

Listen and subscribe via all podcast providers by searching ‘Football, the Albion and Me’, or follow the link.

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