SESS: I’LL GET CUTER TO BE LION
FULHAM sensation Ryan Sessegnon knows he must get a bit cuter to catch England boss Gareth Southgate’s eye.
The 18-year-old, like every one of Aidy Boothroyd’s Under-21 starlets, is itching for a call-up to the seniors.
That desire was only heightened when Sessegnon saw Ben Chilwell and Demarai Gray get the nod for the Switzerland friendly on Tuesday, having represented the Young Lions against Holland the previous Thursday.
Now, having played in five Premier League games for the Cottagers, the youngster reckons he has already started to learn where he needs to improve.
And, with boss Slavisa Jokanovic’s help, he knows there’s no reason why he can’t get there.
“I have to be bit more cute, a bit more smart in my play, change it up a little bit,” he said. “I used to arrive in the box in the Championship for rebounds and it was really falling to my feet where I’d get chances.
“But I realised, especially in the first game against Crystal Palace, there were shots that were going in and I was reacting a little late, and the keeper wasn’t parrying the ball too much towards me, so I have to adjust my feet a bit quicker.
“The tempo of the game is a bit quicker and the defenders are a bit smarter, so you have to adapt quickly. “Everyone in the U-21s is trying to play well for their country and for their clubs, and hopefully we can push into that senior squad.
“It’s a young squad as well and Gareth Southgate (above) is not scared to play young players in big games, so that’s what we’re aiming at.
“When you see Ben and Demarai joining up, that’s the example.”
Despite his tender age, Sessegnon feels like an old head in the Fulham dressing room, having been a regular first-team player since making his debut aged 16 years and 81 days.
He added: “I’m still very young, but since the gaffer has come in, I feel like I’m one of the longest serving.
“The manager has played a huge role in my development. He gave me the chance at 16 in the Championship to really kick on.
“I’ve improved a lot under him.”