Brighton boss De Zerbi wants Ansu Fati to 'enjoy football'

The 20-year-old was one of the marquee signings of the window as he joined from Barcelona for the season yesterday.

While Albion had only been exploring the opportunity to sign him since the Julio Enciso injury, De Zerbi recalls watching the youngster impress on one of the biggest stages, El Clasico.

Ansu Fati became the second youngest goal scorer in the historic match aged just 17 years and 359 days old when he played up front against Real Madrid and scored.

Fati will not play against Newcastle but will be in contention after the international break

Barcelona lost 3-1 that day in October 2020 but De Zerbi remembers the young Spaniard who played the majority of that match.

“He brings quality, speed, being unpredictable”, said De Zerbi.

“He can play winger because one-to-one he is top. He can play number ten because between the lines he knows what he has to do. He can play striker too.

“The first time I saw Ansu Fati he played El Clasico against Real Madrid as a striker. He scored in that game. He can play with Welbeck, with Ferguson, with Joao Pedro, with Lallana. But in the same way he can play winger.

“We will see during the season. It is important because with him we can upgrade. But first of all I want him to enjoy. I don’t want to put too much responsibility on him. He has to show his quality, we want to win. But first he has to think to enjoy playing.

“We can expect him and Baleba to be in the squad after the international break.”

Tottenham and Chelsea were said to be interested but Fati is understood to have been impressed by Brighton's style of play under De Zerbi.

Roberto De Zerbi said Albion’s style is suitable for his characteristics and qualities as a young player.

Fati is one of the hottest prospects in Europe. He signed a six year contract with Barcelona in 2021 which included a €1 billion euro buyout clause.

The attacker has been unfortunate with injuries in the 2020/21 season and 2021/22 season.

He managed to stay largely injury-free last year and could prove pivotal for Albion’s fight on multiple fronts this season.