MX23RW : Wednesday, March 12 12:16:14| >> :120:6238:6238:

Graham Potter backs Brighton midfielder Enock Mwepu to shine in Premier League

Graham Potter backs Brighton midfielder Enock Mwepu to shine in Premier League
© Reuters
The Seagulls begin the new campaign at Burnley on Saturday.

Graham Potter believes new Brighton midfielder Enock Mwepu is ready to be thrust into Premier League action having "made a real impression" since his big-money summer move.

Zambia international Mwepu is Albion's only major signing of the transfer window so far following his arrival from Austrian club RB Salzburg for around £20million early last month.

The Seagulls begin the new campaign at Burnley on Saturday and head coach Potter has no concerns about the 23-year-old – who scored in a pre-season friendly at Luton a fortnight ago – making a swift transition to English football.

"He's got the capability, there's no doubt about that," said Potter.

"He's settled in well. It helps that he is the personality that he is: very, very likeable, mature, a humble guy, a team player, gets on with everybody, intelligent.

"He's made a real impression on everybody, I think.

"And then on the pitch he brings a little bit of difference in terms of his qualities, his attributes.

"He's scored already, can add goals from midfield; things to improve, of course, like everybody. But we're happy with him and I think he'll get better the longer he is with us."

Brighton travel to Turf Moor ready to kick off their fifth successive season of top-flight action.

Potter guided the Seagulls to a club-record Premier League points tally of 41 in his first 12 months at the Amex Stadium before emulating that feat last term.

While the 46-year-old is keen to build on those achievements, he feels it would be foolish to look beyond top-flight survival as the primary objective.

"The established Premier League club I don't think exists, to be honest, apart from about seven clubs," he said.

"I think as soon as you think that, then you're in trouble, especially at a club, a team where we are.

"You have to always remember that the main aim is to firstly stay in the Premier League and then to try to get as many points as you can.

"It's not the toughest league in the world for nothing."

Aside from Mwepu and back-up goalkeeper Kjell Scherpen, there has been little incoming transfer activity in Sussex amid persistent calls from Brighton fans for greater attacking options following the team's persistent troubles to convert chances.

Potter, who will not be rushed into spending the money received from Ben White's £50million departure to Arsenal, believes it is too simplistic to say goal-scoring is the only area of improvement required.

"Yes I think it is. It's a strapline that is easy to say, but from our perspective we know we have to improve in all the areas and we're up for that challenge," he said.

"We're two years into this journey together. We want to try and keep going, keep improving, rather than focus on one area, we want to try to improve everything.

"The players have come back from pre-season and have a really good attitude, a really good mentality, so we're excited for the start of the season."

ID:459201:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect3890:
Written by
P A

Click here for more stories about Graham Potter

Click here for more stories about Brighton & Hove Albion

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Manchester City players lift the Premier League trophy on May 23, 2021
Read Next:
Sports Mole's predicted Premier League table for 2021-22
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool29217169274270
2Arsenal281510352242855
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest28156745331251
4Chelsea28147753361749
5Manchester CityMan City28145953381547
6Newcastle UnitedNewcastle2814594738947
7Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton28121064640646
8Aston Villa2912984145-445
9Bournemouth28128847341344
10Fulham2811984138342
11Crystal Palace2810993633339
12Brentford28115124844438
13Tottenham HotspurSpurs281041455411434
14Manchester UnitedMan Utd2897123440-634
15Everton2871293135-433
16West Ham UnitedWest Ham2896133248-1633
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2865173857-1923
18Ipswich TownIpswich2838172658-3217
19Leicester CityLeicester2845192562-3717
20Southampton2823232068-489


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!