We said it last year, we probably said it in 2019.

The question applies again now – maybe even more so.

Will Leandro Trossard take the Premier League by storm this season?

The little Belgian magician is in strong contention to play some part at Burnley today.

His dazzling contribution to the second half against Getafe last Saturday suggests he must have a part to play.

The fact that display came in his only 45 minutes of the three visible pre-season friendlies suggests that part might be off the bench.

Trossard has had to wait for his chance in the past.

He remained an unused sub on the opening day at Watford two years ago.

The trend he would love to continue is that he has scored on his first outing of both his Albion seasons to date.

He equalised on debut at home to West Ham two years ago, having seen an earlier strike wiped out by a very tight VAR offside call against provider Dan Burn.

And he was on target against Chelsea in the 2020-21 opener.

(He also scored on the first day of his final season for Genk, at Lokeren three years ago) Building on that has been the challenge. Maintaining a performance level.

Maybe that is the thing with thrillers or X-factors such Trossard.

They are a bit like genuine wingers – LuaLua or Knockaert in the past.

You can’t have those heights of inspiration all the time.

But there is certainly scope for Trossard to get his lower levels a bit higher.

The quieter times a bit shorter.

The question asked of Graham Potter was: Is this time for him to take the next step?

Albion’s head coach said: “I’m sure he’ll hope to do that, and we’ll hope to do that.

“I think he was a little bit unlucky last year.

“I think he hit the bar or post probably more than anyone in the league, I’m guessing.

“And that’s the margins in football, certainly at the highest level.

“He’s got better the longer he has been in the country, the longer he has been with us.

“He is developing all the time. I see no reason why can’t take another step forward. That’s what he will want to do.

“His experience for Belgium would have been great for him.”

In fact, Trossard’s five strikes off the woodwork last term ranked joint fourth in the Premier League.

Harry Kane led the way with nine – but even he did not hit the bar or post three times in one match as Trossard did at home to Manchester United.

Unlucky? Yes – but he should also have buried the third of those openings (as one suspects Kane would have).

Potter said: “Every player is slightly different and he brings his qualities.

“He will say he wants to influence the game in the final third. He wants to score, he wants to assist.

“I think the next step for him is to make good decisions in the final third consistently, to influence the game that way.

“To understand when to kill, when to keep the ball safe, when to go, when to risk. But he is trying that.

“On another day we could be sat here talking about Leo with double figures goals and it’s maybe a different conversation.

“That’s life, that’s football.

“He has to work hard and we have to work hard to help him take that next step to turn that bit of bad luck into good luck in your favour.”

Trossard went on as sub in the 1-1 draw at Burnley last season with Danny Welbeck, soon followed by Adam Lallana.

Neal Maupay and Aaron Connolly both started in attack.

The changes helped Albion regain some foothold in the match after they had been under siege.

GRAHAM POTTER SAYS BRIGHTON'S BIG TWO ARE READY

It is a squad game more than ever - about who finishes as well starts.

The finishing touch in a different sense could be key to Trossard taking that next step.