Tariq Lamptey could possibly be reinvented at Brighton & Hove Albion as a fast right-winger.
The fitting-back returned in that extra superior position from his newest damage lay-off, spanning practically two months, in final evening’s 0-0 draw in opposition to Wolves on the Amex Stadium.
Lamptey was considered one of 5 substitutions made within the second half by head coach Roberto De Zerbi in a useless try to style a breakthrough. The introduction of the 23-year-old after 65 minutes, additional ahead than in his regular place, is intriguing.
Though he didn’t see sufficient of the ball to make a significant affect, the position revision supplies Lamptey with a possibility to construct up extra minutes after a succession of prolonged damage absences which have broken his progress.
Adam Hinshelwood, 18, has hogged the right-back berth since Joel Veltman sustained an ankle damage at Arsenal in mid-December. The skilled Dutchman expects to be again in motion quickly, however De Zerbi has contrastingly restricted choices to offer extra width.
Japan’s Kaoru Mitoma and Ivory Coast worldwide Simon Adingra, the common wingers since October, have been sidelined from membership obligation since December by respective ankle and hamstring accidents.
They’re at present unavailable to De Zerbi anyway, as they’re with their nations for the Asia Cup within the case of Mitoma and the Africa Cup of Nations — Adingra made his comeback as a late substitute in Ivory Coast’s shock 4-0 defeat by Equatorial Guinea within the latter match final evening.
Solly March, one other winger, is out for the season with knee harm. Julio Enciso, who can even play extensive, has solely simply returned to the grass to coach individually from the primary crew squad following two operations on a torn meniscus in his left knee.
De Zerbi has compensated for the shortage of pure width at his disposal by meting out with wingers, taking part in Joao Pedro and Facundo Buonanotte tucked in centrally behind both Danny Welbeck and Evan Ferguson whereas Ansu Fati recovers from a hamstring subject. Lamptey’s return to motion provides a special dimension.
Lamptey’s surges ahead have been restricted by damage of late (Malcolm Couzens/Getty Pictures)
De Zerbi, requested what he needs from Lamptey earlier than the sport in opposition to Wolves, mentioned: “To be accessible, as a result of he is a crucial, vital participant for us. He can play full-back, winger. Particularly on this second with out Kaoru Mitoma, Simon Adingra, and Solly March. So, I’m glad to have him accessible.”
Lamptey had solely been on the pitch for 34 minutes since early October previous to his look in opposition to Wolves, due to a muscle damage. He had not been seen since going off within the first half of the 3-2 win at Nottingham Forest on the finish of November.
Lamptey confirmed what he’s able to when he’s match by taking part in a key half within the 2-2 comeback draw away to Marseille in October, the turning level lead to Brighton topping their group within the Europa League to mechanically qualify for the final 16 in March.
Protecting at left-back for the then-injured Pervis Estupinan in France that evening, Lamptey capped an influential second half efficiency by profitable the late penalty for Joao Pedro’s equaliser.
De Zerbi mentioned: “He’s a singular participant. His perspective and behavior is unbelievable. It’s to Tariq’s credit score that we achieved first place within the Europa League. The penalty in Marseille was for his perspective and fervour to create the penalty, to seek out the one-on-one.
“I want to enhance him in move management, and I would really like him cleaner in approach. His attribute is pace, his power. When Tariq begins (to run) and is attacking, it’s a must to observe him or you’ll be left 40 metres behind.”
Lamptey’s searing tempo has been his largest asset since bursting onto the Premier League scene in 2020 below former head coach Graham Potter after shifting from Chelsea. Electrical runs ahead from right-back have been rarer than they had been again then, because of a succession of damage issues.
Hamstring surgical procedure dominated him out for 9 months from December 2020 to September 2021, then a knee damage saved him out final season from March onwards.
Lamptey is simply relieved to be in competition. “In the event you converse to any footballer, they need to be on the pitch and serving to the crew,” he mentioned after the stalemate with Wolves. “It’s simply irritating if you end up out, however I’m again now and glad to be serving to the crew once more.”
Versatility is commonplace in De Zerbi’s squad. Lamptey, who switched allegiance to Ghana in Might 2022 after representing England at youth stage, added: “In each recreation it’s a must to be adaptable.
“I don’t actually thoughts the place I play. So long as I’m serving to the crew. I can play on the wing, I can play full-back, in a couple of totally different positions. The place ever I’m requested to play I simply attempt to give my all.”
With a minimal of ten matches looming for Brighton within the league, Europa League and the FA Cup within the area of 48 days earlier than the worldwide break in March, Lamptey’s return is a well timed enhance to De Zerbi’s restricted decisions — whether or not that’s as an attacker or in defence.
(High picture: Adam Davy/PA Pictures by way of Getty Pictures)
