Tariq Lamptey has praised Chelsea's academy for giving him the tools to become a senior footballer.
Lamptey left Chelsea for Brighton in January 2020 and has since become a regular starter at the AMEX.
Speaking to talkSPORT, Lamptey said: "When I was at Chelsea, Reece James was in the age group older than me. He was always giving me good advice. I'm happy to see him doing well and hopefully that continues.
"There was a good academy at Chelsea and they give you the tools you need to try and develop your game.
"It just so happens that they have a lot of players in that position but they've got boys all around that can take it to the next level."
On his decision to leave the Blues, Lamptey added: "I was privileged to be in a good place where they allowed me to develop and I'm grateful to them.
"But I feel it was time to try and get regular game time and just try and take my game to the next level and keep developing.
"In Brighton there was a fantastic club who have a good plan and I saw it as a chance to take."
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