Belgium boss has given Leandro Trossard's Albion move seal of approval

The summer signing from Genk hopes to break into the national team as a result of stepping up from the Jupiler League.

And Martinez reckons Seagulls boss Graham Potter could be the man to get the best out of him.

Trossard gets his first run at the Amex tomorrow as Valencia visit for a showpiece pre-season friendly (7pm).

He was persuaded to join Albion by what he heard from Potter about his footballing ideals before the deal was completed.

And a word with Martinez, who was one of Potter’s predecessors as Swansea boss, also played a big part.

Trossard told The Argus: “That is also a reason why I made the step to a bigger league.

“It is trying to get more minutes in the national team.

“I spoke to him (Martinez) before I came to Brighton because he knows the coach here. He helped me with the decision but he hasn’t talked to me (recently).

“He said the coach has been doing a really a good job at his former clubs.

“He wants to play football and that also convinced me to come here.”

Trossard knows his style, physical stature and nationality will see him compared to Eden Hazard, who has been arguably the best player, certainly of a creative nature, to ever grace the Amex.

He plays those comparisons down while knowing some of the qualities shown by the ex-Chelsea man will be needed in England.

Trossard got a taste of Championship opposition in the 4-0 win at Birmingham, when he was involved in three goals.

He said: “For sure, it was a team who like to kick and rush a little but you have to adapt to that and I think we did it in a good way.

“I won’t be bulking up. I stick to the same. You have to be smart in every game and in every league.

“If you think faster than your opponent, you are always in the first position.”

Trossard is willing to say he is in a similar mould to Hazard, broadly speaking.

So he might just have picked up a few bits and pieces from the stars in the Belgium squad when on international duty.

He said: “I played with them in the Belgian national team and you can learn from them.

“Hazard is a similar player to me in possession so you are always going to learn how they play and stuff.

“I like one versus ones, I am quite fast turning and I hope I can show that.

“But don’t compare. We just play the same position and we are two Belgians.”

Valencia finished fourth in LaLiga Santander last term after a brilliant run which saw them win nine of the last 13 games.

At the same time, they were progressing towards the Copa Del Rey final, in which they beat Barcelona.

But their summer has been hit by disputes at executive level and as many eyes back home will be on events in Singapore, involving owner Peter Lim, as Falmer.

Experienced French striker Kevin Gameiro has travelled with a squad which is close to full strength after recovering from injury.

Albion will be donating 25% of the nett gate receipt to local charities, to be selected by their former captain and ex-Valencia defender Bruno, who is now senior player development coach.