Black Stars coach Otto Addo is happy to have Tariq Lamptey on board, describing the Brighton right-back as a “solid Premier League player.”
Addo believes Lamptey has a lot to offer the Black Stars and is pleased the former Chelsea player chose to represent Ghana at the senior international level despite strong interest from England.
Lamptey has settled quickly in his new surroundings and is looking forward to his debut, which is likely to be against Brazil on Friday.
The 21-year-old turned down a call-up from England U21 to accelerate his path to becoming a Ghana international, and he has received a warm welcome since arriving at camp in France.
When asked about the squad put together for this month’s friendlies against Brazil and Nicaragua, Addo singled out Lamptey for praise, though he admitted it was a difficult decision to leave some names out.
“To put together the squad was difficult because some decisions were very very close. We are happy to have Tariq Lamptey who is a solid Premier League player especially because he is very very young and very fast,” said Addo.
Mohammed Kudus at false 9
His approach to the games
If he will make drastic changesBlack Stars head coach Otto Addo answers the questions on everyone’s minds ahead of the Brazil clash. #3Sports pic.twitter.com/UCxZFDUu3G
— #3Sports (@3SportsGh) September 22, 2022
Joseph Paintsil, who has been in excellent form in Belgium this season, is one of the notable absentees. So far, the forward has four goals and one assist.
The Borussia Dortmund assistant coach explained: “[Joseph Paintsil] was very close. The positions are even tighter now with the new players coming in. Joseph is doing well. It would have been good for him to play the Japan and Chile matches to show more of himself but he had some problems so he decided to leave the team and wanted to start with his team.”
Ghana will play Brazil in Le Havre on Friday before travelling to Spain to face Nicaragua on September 27.
Both friendlies are part of the team’s preparation for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where they will compete in the group stage against Portugal, South Korea, and Uruguay.
“The approach to play games is always the connection between the players. The players are coming from different clubs with different styles of play. It’s important to link up as a team so we have to get to know each other and the players have to know the plans for each game. It’s very important for us especially the new guests get familiar with each other on the pitch and off the pitch. Also, for us, it’s important to get answers to questions,” he said.
“I don’t know [if I will change team before WC] because it’s the performance which decides. It could be that someone performs very badly and we have to take him out. Nothing is written in stone. I think the major players are here but surely anything can happen.”
Source: 3news.com|Ghana
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