ALBION's new signing Pervis Estupiñán has been tipped to help the club's attack but will need to improve on his defensive abilities.

The Ecuadorian has joined the Seagulls from La Liga side Villarreal, and The Argus has reached out to European football expert Alex Barker (@EuroExpert_) to get a better understanding of the player.

He told The Argus: "On his day, he can be a threatening crosser of the ball, but we're yet to see the best of him, especially defensively.

"From the times I've watched him, he's been big on rushing into tackles and being quite an aggressive defender, which might mean he adapts well to the physicality of the Premier League but he may need to hone it in a bit.

The Argus: Albion boss Graham Potter on Pervis EstupiñánAlbion boss Graham Potter on Pervis Estupiñán

"It's worth saying, he improved last season positionally. Attacking wise though is where he should succeed, as no one in Villarreal's squad completed more crosses into the box last season in the league than the South American, according to stats website by FBREF.

"He gets good power on lofting them in behind the defence but, as Villarreal became a little more ball-dominant last season, showed he can still cut it back for teammates instead of hitting it in. Brighton fans can expect energy and work rate too.

"I think he will bring something extra in from his Champions League experiences with the Yellow Submarine.

"He started in wins over Juventus and Bayern Munich, and the only players with Champions League knockout experience in the Brighton squad are Joël Veltman, Adam Lallana and Danny Wellbeck."

The Ecuadorian has made ten times in the Champions League and 91 times in La Liga.

Barker has compared Estupiñán to Tottenham Hotspur's Ryan Sessegnon as he is a player that is "enthusiastic" about going forward and can help out a team's attack.

He said: "Perhaps a comparison can be made to someone like Ryan Sessegnon, as both 'defenders' are more skilled and more enthusiastic about attacking than defending, and both feel like players who aren't quite damaging enough to play as a forward.

The Argus: Pervis Estupiñán as been compared to Ryan Sessegnon (pictured) by Alex BarkerPervis Estupiñán as been compared to Ryan Sessegnon (pictured) by Alex Barker

"That's not necessarily an insult, as we have seen recently the Spurs player can have an impact going down that left, just in the same way Estupiñán adds some different to Villarreal's attack with his crossing and overlaps. Both players are good with the ball at their feet too.

While Estupiñán will fill the void left by Marc Cucurella on the left-side of Albion's defence, it is expected that he will offer a similar attacking emphasis but may struggle to provide the same defensive aid that the now Chelsea player did.

Barker said: "I can see many similarities between Cucurella and Estupiñán. Both were players who felt like wingers and full-backs in La Liga, with neither attracting much attention from the Champions League regulars. Both are sharp passers too.

"Where I think the players will differ is in a defensive capacity, I simply do not see Estupiñán being able to drop into left centre-back like Cucurella did for Brighton last season."

Estupiñán will join compatriots Moises Caicedo and Jeremy Sarmiento at Albion, something that could ease his transition to English football.

Barker believes that this could be "vital" for the defender as it will help with the harmony of the squad.

He said: "I think that will be vital. When players move into a new club, it's not just the team that changes but the dynamics of the dressing room and the harmony of the side.

"Having Caicedo and Sarmiento there will help Estupiñán settle in but also help those two I feel, having another countryman in the club.

"It's still a huge ask to move leagues and countries, and La Liga is a much slower and dogged league than the Premier League.

"However given Brighton's recent track record, I feel confident that Estupiñán will find his feet fairly quickly."