This special young midfielder will save Brighton millions in the transfer market

Brighton head coach Graham Potter saw something special in this young midfielder as soon as he arrived last May.
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Steven Alzate was immediately brought in the first team squad for the pre-season tour and the young Colombian has gone on to impress in the Premier League.

He has made 11 starts from his 22 appearances and adapted to top flight football with minimal fuss.

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Alzate, 21, is from London and born to Colombian parents and his rise this season didn't go unnoticed by his country.

Graham PotterGraham Potter
Graham Potter

He was called up by national team manager Carlos Queiroz and slotted in seamlessly alongside the likes of David Ospina, Davidson Sanchez, Yerry Mina, Juan Cuadrado, Alfredo Morelos and Jefferson Lerma as he played against Peru and Ecuador in November 2019.

Alzate clearly has the ability but Potter also deserves huge credit for trusting his young players. Many head coaches would not have taken that gamble.

It's still early days but Albion clearly have a talent on their hands but few saw it coming.

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He arrived at Brighton from Leyton Orient in 2017 and then had an injury-hit loan spell at Swindon Town cut short last season.

Steven Alzate has adapted well to life in the Premier LeagueSteven Alzate has adapted well to life in the Premier League
Steven Alzate has adapted well to life in the Premier League

Alzate returned to Brighton nursing a stress fracture to the back and his career was a critical point.

“He’s dedicated and focused but his main attribute on the pitch is that he is incredibly comfortable with the ball," said Potter. He hasn’t been fazed by the Premier League.

"I think we’re going to see a lot of him. He’s a great lad with a lot of ability and a big future.”

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Crucially for younger players breaking into first team football, the versatile midfielder proved he can handle the physical challenges. He excelled this season on his debut at Newcastle and also in the victories against Tottenham, Everton and Arsenal.

Even at Chelsea, when Brighton were quite poor on the day and lost 2-0, Alzate was Albion's best player.

He has the skill and confidence to take players on and pick out out a good pass in the final third. He has also been unlucky this season on a couple occasions not to add a few goals to his name.

“I was one of those young players once, looking up to the stars of the Premier League and hoping I could be like them," Alzate said.

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"I was looking to make steps in my career – it’s every child’s dream to play football.

“Things are happening quickly for me at the moment, probably quicker than I expected to be honest, but it’s about staying level-headed and grounded."

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