Maty Ryan says he has become the sweeper keeper he wanted to be from a young age under head coach Graham Potter.

The 27-year-old has had to get used to being more comfortable with the ball at his feet since Potter’s summer arrival and he is enjoying the fresh challenge.

He said: “I do feel like I am improving. This year, with Graham coming in, he has asked for a lot more characteristics from his goalkeeper. Playing out from the back with the feet is probably the biggest example.

“I have enjoyed being able to contribute in that way and both learn and grow myself.

“Before I signed at Brighton I saw myself as a sweeper keeper, having played that way growing up.

“Doing it in the Premier League has been another challenge.

“I have learnt so much under Graham and the way he wants to use his goalkeeper.

“I have been enjoying that and I am enjoying the changes this year.”

Ryan has kept five clean sheets and has made the third most saves in the Premier League with 72 so far this term - but does he judge his season on saves and shutouts?

He said: “Not so much, as those sort of statistics aren’t always a true reflection of the game.

“For instance, a save can be someone heading the ball into the ground and it trickles to you, that is not really a good reflection of a keeper.

“Throughout the course of the season every goalkeeper gets a few of those saves, every goalkeeper gets to make some worldie saves too.

“It is nice, obviously, to see yourself at the top of any stat, but I would much prefer to be a goalkeeper that can coach from the back and stop situations building for the opposition to score goals rather than having to make a save myself.

“When you have got goalkeepers making lots of saves it would be nice if the defences are tighter and there are less opportunities.

“The club we are, and the other clubs that are in the league with what their resources can buy, means we are always going to be coming up against difficult opposition who are going to create chances.

“With the exception of Liverpool, all the other teams have been close to getting points off other opponents.

“Overall, I just sit back with Ben Roberts (goalkeeper coach) and look at the goalkeeping as a whole package. We see where you could do better or where you have done well and work hard to continue that.”

Ryan will be at opposite ends to a familiar face in Chelsea No.1 Kepa Arrizabalaga, who he came up against during his time in Spain with Valencia.

He said: “I’ve come up against him (Kepa) playing in Spain and a few times since in the Premier League.

“He is another younger goalkeeper as well and it is nice to see a lot of younger goalkeepers getting a go and doing well.

“At the end of the day he is just another player among 18 others that we are going to want to overcome.”

Albion have already faced Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

Ryan admits the 2-0 loss brought Albion down to earth with a bump.

He said: “We went to Chelsea and we sort of got a bit ofa reality check.

“We went there feeling confident we could deliver our game, but we were pretty much played off the park that game in hindsight.

“They had ten shots on target and we analysed that game and we recognised what we did wrong, what hurt us, what didn’t allow us to apply the game plan we wanted to do.

“Every game we are doing two to three video sessions afterwards in preparation for the next games in order to learn how to implement our strategies moving forward to give ourselves the best chance of winning. “Since that game we have improved a lot. It is going to be a good test at home to show how much we have grown since the last meeting.”

Ryan was also full of praise for Chelsea manager Frank Lampard and the job he has done.

The Argus:

He said: “He (Lampard) is someone that lives, breathes and rides every tackle.

“Seeing him celebrating with fans after they win and then seeing that it looks like he has aged ten years after a loss in an interview.

“I think he is really passionate about the game and he demonstrates that through his behaviour.

“He has done a great job at the club with all the changes that have been brought in and all the youth that they have had to use due to the transfer ban.

“Frank has done a great job for them to be sitting where they are. Maybe, though, he is searching for more consistency with their recent run of results.

“I’m sure he will be preparing his squad to come out and make sure they are on their game to make it difficult for us.”

One player Ryan hopes can put in another good performance is his Australian compatriot Aaron Mooy.

The 29-year-old scored his first goal for Albion and has been a key figure in the last month, picking up plenty of plaudits for his performances.

Ryan, who grew up with Mooy, is hoping he can stay at the club past his season-long loan.

He said: “Aaron is a great player, he has demonstrated that in his time at Huddersfield and since coming here.

“Even just from myself getting along with him and growing up with him a little bit as well.

“He is nice to have around and you get that Australian banter which is a little bit different. Every country has different bits of banter that perhaps other countries don’t get.

“He has been a great addition to the squad this year and if he continues in this manner, he will be around for a long time.”