Brighton boss Graham Potter dispels Yves Bissouma disinterest

The midfielder took part in Mali's unsuccessful attempts to win the Africa Cup of Nations during the January transfer window.

There was a lot of interest in Bissouma, particularly from Saturday's opponents Aston Villa. Villans boss Steven Gerard confirmed the west Midland's club's interest in the midfielder last week.

Since then Bissouma has not been at his superb best with some fans thinking that he is not as committed to the club as before.

Potter, however, has denied this and suggested that Bissouma is his normal self and suggested that it is hard for players to perform at their best every week.

He said: "He [Bissouma] played well at Manchester United in the first half, he did okay. I think we then suffered as a team as we went down to ten men and that affected his performance.

Aston Villa's John McGinn (left) challenges Brighton and Hove Albion's Tariq Lamptey during the Premier League match at the AMEX Stadium, Brighton

"Against Burnley as a team we did not play well and Yves [Bissouma] was part of that team.

"I am sure if he was sat here he would say the same. It wasn't one of his good games but I don't think it's anything to do with his body language or anything he is doing differently.

"I think when the team doesn't play well it is hard for guys to play well as individuals. I think it was the same again (against Aston Villa).

"I think we were better as a team, I thought his performance was better.

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"Was his performance 9/10, 10/10, probably not, but again I think it's difficult to achieve that every week.

"But I haven't seen anything different with him at all."

Bissouma is in the last 17 months of his contract with Albion and is yet to sign a new deal.

Should the 25-year-old not renew his contract he will be able to leave the club for free at the end of the 2022/23 Premier League season