Robert Sanchez’s calm demeanour is helping him make the best of his natural talents as a goalkeeper.

That is the verdict of one of his predecessors between the sticks.

And that can only be good news for Albion as he makes a strong start to life in the Premier League.

Sanchez kept an eighth clean sheet in 20 appearances as the Seagulls drew with Everton on Monday.

It is not all about shut outs.

He was not really tested in that game and perhaps his best matches have come when conceding a goal – at Manchester City and Burnley.

But those clean sheets stats will do no harm in what has been an encouraging start to top-flight life.

The Argus:

Michel Kuipers, who kept goal for Albion in all divisions bar the Prem, has watched with interest.

Kuipers told The Argus: “I have followed his progress ever since he has been at the club.

“The loan spells have been really helpful.

“He gained some match experience here in the UK and got used to the physicality of the game, which put him in a good position to do really well when he was given his chance.

“He had a good strong debut and now he has really made himself the No.1 goalkeeper at the club at the moment.”

Sanchez was 18 when he did some work with Kuipers at the Albion training ground.

The Dutchman said: “When I first came in I straight away knew he had all the potential to become a very good goalkeeper.

“He was very tall, he has got a big stature.

“He has got great natural ability and reflexes.

“I knew he had a bright future.

“Having worked with Ben Roberts for a number of years he has really developed into the full package that he is now.

“Obviously you will have your pre-match excitement but Robert has got a really calm personality and I think that has helped him a lot.

“Particularly during the season where in some games we have had our backs against the wall.

“He has really stood up to that and I think his calmness has helped him through those moments.”

Kuipers came to England at 24 so has some feeling for how the big move from Spain helped Sanchez grow up and mature.

He said: “He was very confident when he came and that’s an aspect of a goalkeeper you really need.

“You need to be confident, you need to be brave and that shows now in a way that he has matured really quickly.

“He is still young as a goalkeeper but he plays very mature and that comes very much from his self-confidence and his self-belief.

“You come to a new country so you are kind of by yourself.

“You have to grow up really quickly and take responsibility and make sure you look after yourself on the pitch and particularly off the pitch.”

Kuipers has also got his hands full now as he returns to life running PHX Gym in Hollingbury.

WHY OLD TRAFFORD HAD A NEW LOOK FOR ALBION MATCH

Like Sanchez in goal, he had a short-lived baptism in his new challenge.

The gym, specially designed to reduce the risks of Covid, was only open for two weeks in December before such facilities were forced to close again.

Now they are up and running for the longer term.

THESE ARE ALBION'S TOP TEN GOALKEEPERS

Kuipers said: “We started again on Monday.

“It has been really busy but the best thing about is everyone has a big smile on their face as soon as they walk into the gym.

“During Covid it has been proven that exercise is very important for your physical and mental health.

“Everyone is really enjoying the fact we are open again.

“We are the very first anti-Covid designed gym in the UK.

“The machines don’t face each other, we have big spaces between the equipment and screens between the cardio equipment.

“We have sanitation stations on entry and throughout the gym and open windows on both sides so we have fresh air coming through.

“So it is a very safe place to exercise.

“We also do temperature checks for everyone who comes in.