Leeds proved Brighton boss wrong over Liverpool target Ben White

Graham Potter says Ben White is an even better player now than he ever was at Leeds.

Brighton defender White returns from a ban today to face the club he helped to promotion last season during a successful loan at Elland Road.

But Potter revealed he was reluctant to send the 23-year-old away in July 2019 – because he was already good enough for the Premier League.

The Seagulls boss said: “Ben was of the view that it was an opportunity that it was really good for him and it’s hard to argue with that.

“I was a little bit reluctant if I am being honest because I felt he maybe could have played in our first team.

“Privately we had those conversations because we liked him a lot. We felt that maybe in that first season he could have had some opportunities.

“I think his attributes were there for the Premier League. I think in the end it was the right decision.

“He had a year with a fantastic coach in a big football club, dealt with the expectation and the challenge of promotion, which he achieved.

“Every time you play you are learning in that environment and that’s why it was such a wonderful loan for him.”

Since his return to Brighton, White has started 31 out of 33 games in the Premier League this season and Potter reckons he is still getting better.

He said: “Players learn from playing against each other. What’s it like when I’m playing against Timo Werner or Sadio Mane?

“There’s certain things you can get away with in the Championship that in the Premier League you can’t. The Premier League can teach you a lot.”

Leeds tried to make White’s loan permanent last summer only for Brighton to block the move, and he’s also had interest from Liverpool.

Potter said: “I wouldn’t want to put a ceiling on him. That would be unfair. It’s his first season in the Premier League.

“He’s got the attributes to play at the highest level. He’s still learning and he will improve because that’s what he’s shown throughout his career.”