Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen has claimed he is not yet the ‘finished article’ after a mixed start to his career in England.
Verbruggen joined Brighton in July for a fee believed to be £16.3 million, joining from Belgian side Anderlecht.
He had an impressive season in the Pro League last season, keeping eight clean sheets in 17 league games as they finished in a disappointing eleventh place, missing out on the play-offs to play in Europe.
He has come in as a replacement for Robert Sanchez, who departed last month to Premier League rivals Chelsea.
The Dutchman was benched for the Seagulls first two games of the Premier League, with Roberto De Zerbi opting for Jason Steele.
However, Verbruggen has stepped in for the last two games which has seen Brighton concede five goals.
What Bart Verbruggen had to say
Despite this, Verbruggen believes he still has a lot to improve on, and that he does not need an older keeper to protect him, even as he is only 21.
“I don’t need a babysitter. I feel like I can handle it,”he told Dutch outlet Trouw.
“I just have to do my best and get better. Then hopefully I can contribute to the future. Modern football involves much more than shot stopping, such as building up or crossing.
“I like watching Marc-André Ter Stegen, the Brazilians Alisson and Ederson, or Manuel Neuer. How they solve situations. Maybe I’m possessed, yes.
“I am on my way to a great career, but no one is perfect at my age. Learning is not the same as making many mistakes. I can handle the level well, but always want more. It’s never enough for myself. Even at the age of thirty, I am not yet a finished article.”