MX23RW : Thursday, November 7 10:47:00| >> :120:56527:56527:

Graham Potter opens door to Andi Zeqiri first-team chances at Brighton

Graham Potter opens door to Andi Zeqiri first-team chances at Brighton
© Reuters
The Switzerland Under-21 international was signed from Super League club Lausanne-Sport.

Graham Potter is excited by the potential of Switzerland Under-21 international Andi Zeqiri and "open-minded" about his chances of breaking into Brighton's first team.

Rookie striker Zeqiri, signed from Swiss Super League club Lausanne-Sport earlier this month, has been in prolific form for his country's under-21 side, scoring nine times in Euro 2021 qualifying.

While initially appearing as a purchase for the future, the 21-year-old is already training with Albion's senior squad.

Seagulls boss Potter, who currently has limited attacking options, refused to rule out an imminent debut for Zeqiri, pointing to the rapid rise of full-back Tariq Lamptey as an example of a young player earning an opportunity earlier than expected.

"He's in our group. He's a young player but has had some good experience," said Potter.

"I'm open-minded with it, a bit like I was with Tariq. You have to be.

"No one could have thought he (Lamptey) would have arrived and had the impact he has had.

"I'm open-minded with Andi and I'm looking forward to working with him, looking forward to getting to know with him more and more I think he's an exciting player."

After signing a four-year deal with the Seagulls on October 1, Zeqiri scored in successive games against Georgia and Liechtenstein on international duty.

He registered 22 times in 37 appearances in all competitions last season as Lausanne were promoted to the top tier of Swiss football as champions.

Potter was repeatedly linked with a new senior striker before the transfer deadline after allowing veteran Glenn Murray to join Watford.

Neal Maupay and Aaron Connolly have been the only strikers at his disposal so far this season.

Albion travel to rivals Crystal Palace on Sunday, with Republic of Ireland international Connolly struggling with wrist and neck injuries, while winger Alireza Jahanbakhsh is unlikely to feature due to a thigh problem.

Speaking about Zeqiri, Potter added: "Like all players, it's important we help him settle into the club, settle into the new country, the new league, work out his team-mates.

"But he is here with us, he is ambitious."

ID:418586: cacheID:418586:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:3435:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Nicolas Tagliafico in action for Ajax on February 20, 2020
Read Next:
Tuesday's papers: Nicolas Tagliafico, William Saliba, Mesut Ozil
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool108111961325
2Manchester CityMan City1072121111023
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest10541147719
4Chelsea105322012818
5Arsenal105321711618
6Aston Villa105321715218
7Tottenham HotspurSpurs1051422111116
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton104421714316
9Fulham104331413115
10Bournemouth104331312115
11Newcastle UnitedNewcastle104331010015
12Brentford104151920-113
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd10334912-312
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham103251319-611
15Leicester CityLeicester102441418-410
16Everton102351017-79
17Crystal Palace10145813-57
18Ipswich TownIpswich100551021-115
19Southampton10118719-124
20Wolverhampton WanderersWolves100371427-133


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!