ASSIGNON ‘READY’ FOR BRIGHTON CHALLENGE

Full-back looks ahead to Saturday’s meeting with Albion

Defender Lorenz Assignon knows facing Brighton at Turf Moor this weekend will be a test for the Clarets, but admits himself and the team will be ‘ready’ as the Seagulls head to Lancashire.

Burnley entertain Roberto De Zerbi’s men as the Clarets prepare for their final six games of the 2023/24 season and the Frenchman insists ‘it’s not finished yet’.

Speaking on Thursday ahead of the clash, the 23-year-old said: “It will be a big game for us. Brighton are a really good team with some amazing players and a really good coach.

“They have some really quick players like Adingra & Welbeck, so we need to be aware of their pace and attack going forward. They have their way of playing, they want to keep the ball, they can press really well and maybe we play a slightly similar way in possession.

“So, it will be a challenge and test for us, but we will work on it through this week in training, do the analysis on it and we’ll be ready for it.

“We just need to keep working hard and keep going in these final six games because it’s not finished yet.”

Assignon arrived at Turf Moor in January on loan from Ligue 1 side Rennes and the right-back says he has settled into life well despite there being differences.

“I feel really good. My teammates have been really good helping me settle in, the staff have been very nice and the fans also make me feel welcome here.

“The Premier League is really different to France (Ligue 1). There’s a lot more intensity, I need to understand when I can defend and when I can attack. I’m still learning, and the coach (Vincent Kompany) is a massive help for me.”

Although the move to the Premier League is Assignon’s first taste of living in England and playing English football, the defender has plenty of fellow French players amongst the dressing room, but admits he is enjoying the challenge of learning the language.

“We have a lot of French players like Maxime (Esteve), Wilson (Odobert), David (Fofana) and lots of staff and coaches too so it’s good. But I am still doing my English lessons and learning the language which is good. I enjoy learning it.

“When I first arrived it was quite hard and the manager spoke to me in French, but then he said he will speak to me in English going forward to help me.”