Tariq Lamptey, Brighton and Hove Albion defender, has identified Senegal and Liverpool ace Sadio Mane among his toughest Premier League opponents.
The 20-year-old England-born player has secured a spot among the season's breakthrough stars thanks to his excellent results for the Seagulls in his second season of senior football.
"It’s difficult to pick my most difficult opponent, I have enjoyed the different challenges. Paul Pogba, Sadio Mane, N’Golo Kante, there are so many. You go from two or three years ago watching these guys on TV to being on the same pitch as them, it’s a surreal feeling," Lamptey told his club's official website.
“When you’re walking out on the pitch, you know you’ve put in the work and deserve to be there. I was waiting for the chance so when you go up against those players you’re in the zone and want to get the best result possible. Nerves don’t come into it, I want to play with energy and fearlessness,"
“It’s definitely not easy playing in the Premier League, but I demand a lot of myself and that starts in training. You put the most into it and then you try to improve and do even better,"
“When you come into the game you’re ready to get the best out of yourself. You don’t have time to think ‘I haven’t played at this level’, you’ve worked for it your whole life and I try to enjoy the experience,” he concluded.