FOUR-MIDABLE SESSEGNON SET FOR PREM STEP

RYAN SESSEGNON was shortlisted for a remarkable FOUR awards by the EFL this week.

Fulham’s prodigious young talent (above) is nominated for the Sky

Bet Championship Player of the Season, EA Sports Young Player of the Season, LFE Apprentice of the Year and Football Manager Team of the Season.

The 17-year-old has earned some rave reviews and admiring glances from top clubs such as

Tottenham and Manchester United.

But while his talent can be in no doubt, making the step up from being a star in the Championship to making it in the Premier League has traditionally been a much harder task.

Norwich’s James Maddison, 21, is also named in the Championship Team of the Season and is nominated alongside Sessegnon as Young Player of the Season.

His club have put a £25million price tag on his head which is designed to scare off potential Premier League suitors who have all looked at his impressive form as a goalscoring midfielder.

But recent stars of the Championship have struggled to make the step up to make an impact on the Premier League. For example, Brighton’s Anthony Knockaert (below), who was so influential in their promotion-winning season last year, has found it difficult to shine so brightly.

It was the same for Jason Koumas, who won it for West Brom in 2007 but faded away in the top flight.

That transition is a difficult step and, as Cardiff are proving, it is not always about big names but a team effort. Recent Championship star turns such as Robert Earnshaw, Sylvan Ebanksblake and Darren Huckerby were big fish outside the Premier League – and then struggled to cut it at a higher level.

Sessegnon looks to be a class apart and is earning comparisons as England’s answer to Gareth Bale because of his ability to get forward from the left-back role.

But Maddison may have more to do to prove himself in the top flight if he makes the jump this summer, particularly in terms of physique.

Raheem Sterling is in brilliant form this season, and that is partly because he looks stronger – and that is something Maddison may have to become to be a Premier League star.