England? Ryan’s worth a call now!
THE first time I saw Ryan Sessegnon was at Newcastle last year. Fulham battered them 3-1 and Ryan scored two. He should actually have notched his first hat-trick that day, but Tim Ream nicked a late penalty off him – then missed it!
Newcastle were a very, very good side, the best in the Championship and chock-full of Premier League players.
So, for a 16-year-old to tear them apart the way he did, especially on their home ground, was sensational. We all thought ‘This kid is going to be some player’.
Nothing I’ve seen since has dissuaded me from that view. I covered the Under-19 European Championships during the summer, when Ryan finished as joint-top scorer.
This week, he finally got that first hat-trick in Fulham’s 5-4 victory over Sheffield United. The lad is getting better and better.
What’s been critical to his progression is staying in the Football League, playing regularly and learning his trade.
Grounding
Would Ryan have got this many opportunities at Chelsea? At Man City? No chance. I can’t emphasise enough how important it is to get a grounding at this level.
Dele Alli is a great example of someone who is way ahead of his peers thanks to starting out in the EFL. Oddly enough, he was the last 17-year-old in England to score a hat-trick.
Take Phil Foden at Man City. Born just ten days after Sessegnon, the young midfielder is a fantastic talent who is being tipped for great things. He even came on as a sub in the Champions League the other night. Rhian Brewster, the Liverpool striker who starred for England at the Under-17 World Cup, is a few weeks older than both of them.
But, while they are still waiting for their first league appearances, that game against Sheffield United was Sessegnon’s 50th match as a pro. And that is in a gruelling, competitive division.
Unless Foden and Brewster go out on loan – or move permanently to an EFL club – Sessegnon will be streets ahead by the time they’re 20.
It’s very important now that Ryan’s representatives look after him. Don’t rush his development, don’t push him into a big move. Just let him enjoy his football.
The fact he signed a threeyear contract at Fulham in July – without a buy-out clause – bodes well in that sense.
Because, if you’re that good at 17, you won’t drop off the radar. He could see out that contract at Fulham and, if he’s turning in excellent performances, nobody in the Premier League is going to lose interest. If anything, it’ll enhance his credibility.
Personally, I’d like to see two things. One is for Sessegnon to stay at Craven Cottage for at least one more year.
The other is to see Gareth Southgate send a message that there’s nothing wrong with developing in the Championship by calling Ryan up for England.
He’s a natural left-footer. He’s got good pace, a good eye for goal.
He ticks all the boxes in terms of what England need.
Natural
And look at the recent callup of Dominic Solanke. The 20-year-old striker is a bit-part player on the bench for Liverpool. Sessegnon is a toughened competitor playing well in the Championship.
Who do you think is more prepared for international football?
Even if he doesn’t play, it’ll give him a chance to get comfortable with the seniors. And, while next year’s World Cup may come too soon, he’ll be 20 when the next Euros kick off.
Maybe, just maybe, he’ll be the first player from outside the top flight to represent England at a major Championship since Steve Bull at Italia 90.