Tariq Lamptey meteoric rise has happened so fast that even he has been left stunned by it – as he gets set to face Chelsea.

The 19-year-old has been a revelation since joining Brighton from Chelsea’s reserves in January and last week earned his first England Under-21 cap.

Lamptey said: “It’s happened so fast, it’s unbelievable.

“Sometimes I just have to sit back and think, ‘Wow, this is a lot.

“But I’ve worked hard to get here and I’m grateful that I’ve got the opportunities that I’ve been getting.

“Hopefully it’s just the start and I can keep improving, building and getting better and better.”

The Brighton full-back added: “I’m very determined.

“Whoever I play against, you have to give them respect because they’re top quality players, but you also have to back yourself and have belief in yourself.

“I believe that I have got the ability to make the best of it and get the better of my man.

“That’s just my game. I’m not scared to take on players or who is ahead of me, it’s just another player that I have to try to get the better of.”