Colombia have called up Brighton starlet Steven Alzate to their Under-23 squad and he could now miss some key matches for the Seagulls next year. Alzate, who was born in London to Colombian parents, has previously pledged his loyalty to the South American nation and says the flair in his game comes from his heritage.
So it should come as no surprise that Colombia’s football federation have taken notice after Alzate made an impressive Premier League bow at Newcastle earlier this month.
The 21-year-old played the full 90 minutes as the Seagulls came away from St James’ Park with a draw and kept his place for the trip to Chelsea last Saturday.
Alzate joined the Seagulls from Leyton Orient for an undisclosed fee in 2017 and has featured regularly for Simon Rusk’s Under-23s. He also had a spell on loan at Swindon Town, where he made 22 appearances last season.
But his big breakthrough came this season in the EFL Cup against Bristol Rovers and the stylish winger has not looked back since.
However, Brighton could be without the services of the talented youngster for a number of matches in 2020 after Colombia Under-23 coach Arturo Reyes included Alzate in his latest squad.
Reyes has announced a 20-man squad for two friendly matches against Peru that will be played on October 10 and 13 in Lima.
These will be some of the final preparation matches for the Olympic Games pre-qualifying tournament for South American nations that Colombia will host between January 18 and February 9, 2020.
If, as seems likely, Alzate is wanted for that he would miss Brighton’s Premier League matches against Aston Villa, Bournemouth and West Ham United – plus a potential FA Cup fourth-round tie.
And his long-haul trip to South America this month could also cost him a starting berth in the Premier League when Brighton take on Aston Villa on October 19.
Seagulls boss Graham Potter will have to weigh up whether the 12,600-mile round trip and two international matches has taken too much out of Alzate to include him in the match at Villa Park.
