Graham Potter makes these two surprising choices as Brighton players of the season so far

Midfielder Steven Alzate has impressed greatly on his breakthrough campaign in the top flight and has played in a variety of positions for Albion.

He made an assured Premier League debut at Newcastle last Septemnber and has made 19 league appearances so far.

Alzate, 21, was also called up by the Colombia national team for matches against Peru and Ecuador in November 2019.

It's a rapid rise for the youngster who last season was playing under-23s football and had his loan spell at League Two Swindon Town cut short due to a stress fracture of the back.

"He first made a really positive impression in pre-season," said Potter as he was quizzed by nearly 100 supporters during an online forum of Albion supporters from the UK and across the world.

"Some of our internationals were away and we didn’t have the full squad initially, so we promoted some of the under-23s and were able to look at them closely. It went from there for Steven.

“He’s dedicated and focused but his main attribute on the pitch is that he is incredibly comfortable with the ball. He can take an extra touch under pressure and he hasn’t been fazed by the Premier League. His technical ability is really good.

“He’s got courage and good athleticism. It’s difficult to manage the load of a player coming in from the under-23s who, in his case, had a loan spell in League Two last season [at Swindon Town] which was cut short by injury.

“He probably hasn’t played the amount of games either he or us would like and he’s having to deal with a few things physically, but I think we’re going to see a lot of him in the first team over the next few years. He’s a great lad with a lot of ability and a big future.”

Potter also highlighted the contribution made by defender Dan Burn who, apart from a spell out with a dislocated shoulder in January, has been ever present this season.

Burn, 27, who was loaned to Wigan last campaign, has indeed been the surprise package for Albion.

At 6ft 7in he is comfortably the tallest left back in the division but he has also slotted in well on the left side of the defensive trio and even at left wing when called upon.

“All the players have made a good impression and I don’t like to single players out but Dan didn’t play much last year, was on loan in the Championship, and he’s been an ever present," added Potter.

“We have been impressed with his commitment, his desire to improve and make the most of what he has. He’s been a pleasure to work with and is a good reference point for the rest of the squad.

"He is the one player who has probably surprised me the most.”