Andrea Orlandi admits Spanish football is shocked by Brighton's swoop for Barcelona winger Ansu Fati.
Fati is now on a season-long loan with Brighton.
Orlandi, who played for both clubs, told Brighton's website: It was a shock for people in Spain to see him leave for Brighton, but mainly because people over here don't or didn't know what Brighton are doing.
They've got to grips with the club and the decision, because Brighton are playing some of the best football in Europe.
Roberto De Zerbi is one of the brightest coaches at the moment. He loves to nurture young and talented players and I am sure that he's going to get the best out of Ansu, to take him back to the level he was at a top player and a potential Ballon d'Or winner. People were shocked, but not anymore."
Orlandi also said: The last couple of seasons have been difficult for him because he burst onto the scene and it was sensational the way he got into the first team at Barcelona.
He didn't touch the Barca B dressing, he never trained or played with the reserve team, he went straight from the under-19s to the first team because [former Barcelona coach] Ernesto Valverde was hugely impressed by him in training.
He made the step naturally and had a great connection with [Lionel] Messi, he started scoring goals and never looked back. He is a natural talent with an unbelievable eye for goal. He exceeded all expectations and got Barcelona fans really excited.
Injuries took over and his progress stalled because of that, but there is no doubt that he is a gem the sort of talent you only see every 10-20 years."
