Tariq Lamptey of Brighton and Hove Albion is linked with a transfer to Tottenham Hotspur. (GETTY Images)
A report by Sky Sports mentions that Tottenham Hotspur are interested in signing Brighton and Hove Albion full-back Tariq Lamptey. The Lilywhites could lose Serge Aurier in the coming months and want cover on the right-hand side of their defence.
Lamptey moved to the Seagulls back in January 2020. And since then, the Chelsea youngster has been impressive. His current Premier League season was cut short by a couple of injuries but he continues to be an important squad member. And here, we look at why holding on to him is important for Brighton in the short, as well as the long term.
Graham Potter is a manager who likes to play a variety of formations. He often switches between a back-four and a back-three formation. While the former requires the use of a right-back, the latter warrants an attacking wing-back. These are all roles Lamptey is adept in.
The 20-year-old has spent his career playing either playing as a right-back or a right-midfielder. And that makes him a suitable piece in the Brighton puzzle for Potter because he can then switch between formations not having to worry too much about the right-hand side of his team’s midfield or defence.
And Potter would like to have that ease of mind himself. This season, it got a little tough for him in that regard because of Joel Veltman’s absence from the squad and Lamptey’s injuries. He switched formations around during the duo’s absence and even played Ben White as a right-back at times- which only goes to show the shortage of options for him.
Veltman is a centre-back by trade, or at least he was a few seasons back, but he has slowly transitioned to make himself a full-back. While that versatility is superb to have, Lamptey is a natural in that position.
It goes without saying that Lamptey, at 20, is seen by Potter as a name that is fighting to be on the team sheet. Whenever available for selection, the youngster, more often than not, gets game time at Brighton. And he really offers Brighton a refreshing dynamism with his work rate at both ends of the pitch.
That is the view of his current manager, Graham Potter, who praised Lamptey after his Man of the Match performance against Newcastle United in September 2020. He praised Lamptey’s pace, which is an important part of today’s game, and appreciated his defensive work as well. (h/t BBC)
“He’s got such pace, he threatens the backline of the defence so well and then he does his own defensive work as well, he’s amazing. I’ve spoken about his personality a lot – he just wants to improve and to learn. He’s so refreshing to work with.”
There is no arguing that Brighton are not one of the biggest clubs in the continent right now. If the big boys come calling, players can have their heads turned. But with the 20-year-old signing a deal at Brighton earlier this year that keeps him at the Amex until 2025, it is an advantage for Brighton in any negotiation.
Potter has shown his faith in Lamptey and of course, the youngster would have left Chelsea for the Seagulls in order to play more. Hence, Brighton should use him in their starting XI as long as they have him.
