Rapid pace, incredible movement and solid finisher: Fulham wonderkid Ryan Sessegnon is set to become a world superstar
The Cottagers breathed a sigh of relief as they kept hold of their prised asset, now former Chelsea star Sam Parkin gives his verdict on the 17-year-old
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YOU could hear a collective sigh of relief around SW6 when the transfer window closed on Wednesday — and Fulham’s prized asset was still at the Championship club.
Six goals since the start of 2018 has pushed 17-year-old Ryan Sessegnon to the top of the big boys’ wish lists.
Slavisa Jokanovic’s fifth-placed side are eyeing promotion this term and Sessegnon’s form will be crucial if they are to improve on last year’s fall at the play-off hurdle.
The loan signing of Matt Targett means he can play the more attacking role that he’s excelled in recently.
On Saturday Fulham used the regular 4-3-3 against Nottingham Forest, with Sessegnon on the left of a front three.
His 11 league goals so far look more impressive with 19 of his 30 starts being in a more defensive role.
I can see why he gets compared to a young Gareth Bale. Sessegnon has the same athleticism and beautiful left foot — and the Welshman too started his career as a left-back.
He can also play with his back to goal at times and is scoring regularly.
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The biggest compliment you can pay him is he looks and plays like a seasoned pro.
He understands the game, has real composure, knows what is expected of each position and rarely gets caught out defensively.
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With all this, Sessegnon still has that fearless approach when he picks up the ball in space facing a defender.
His direct play causes a real buzz in the ground and despite it not always coming off on Saturday, he was part of another win.
MOVEMENT
THE reason for Ryan Sessegnon’s recent glut of goals is his willingness to make runs into the box.
When the ball is put in from the opposite side, he does not position himself at the far post, he continuously darts across the right-back — attacking the space and causing confusion in the opposition’s back four. It’s a regular feature of Fulham’s play.
Against Forest, he showed a goalscorer’s instinct, getting across the front of Eric Lichaj to head narrowly wide.
He also made two excellent runs in the first half to get to the byline — his timing is good and recognises when a midfield player has time to slide him in beyond the full-back.
ATTACK
PACE and direct running on the ball make him a dream to play with.
Fulham look to play him in constantly — his highlight on Saturday was when he produced a great piece of skill to deceive his marker before shooting.
Movement in the penalty box, pace in one-on-ones and improving decision-making means there should be plenty more assists and goals.
DEFENCE
DUE to his fitness he closes down well, which prompts others to join in.
Sessegnon did not have to do too much defending in his own half as Forest’s full-backs failed to push on.
But he was intelligent enough to drop in front of Matt Targett and cut off balls into Forest’s wide player Matty Cash.
When he is at left-back, he can improve his decision-making defensively but few modern full-backs have his quality going forward.
AWARENESS
GUILTY of giving the ball away at times by coming too deep into congested areas — I’d like to see him hold his position high and wide more often.
It was a slippy pitch and, after losing his footing in a brilliant position early on, he continued to try and manoeuvre the ball in tight areas when a simple pass would be better.
Sessegnon has a good understanding with Stefan Johansen and the pair link up well, especially when trying to play out after Forest lost the ball during an attack.
From crossing positions he picked the right option, cutting one back in the first half to a midfield runner and also late on, nearly setting up Aleksanar Mitrovic.
FINISHING
A REAL poacher this season, scoring a number of tap-ins.
When he gets in front of goal on his left foot he finishes with power across the keeper but he showed at Sheffield United earlier this season that he can also score curlers off his weaker foot.
He is capable of more headed goals and can be a regular free-kick taker.
PACE
IN full flow there are few defenders at this level can live with him.
Forest right-back Lichaj was tasked with the job on Saturday and fared better than most have recently.
It looked like being a long afternoon for him when Sessegnon raced past in the third minute but, somehow, Lichaj managed to recover and get a toe to the goal-bound shot.
VERDICT
SESSEGNON has shown his versatility in a number of roles but I think he’s ideal as a wing-back in a 3-4-3 or a 3-5-2 — a system very much on-trend in the top flight at the moment.
He has the fitness to get up and down the pitch and it would allow him to pick up the ball deeper and drive his team forward with his powerful running.
As a 17-year-old he has the athleticism and a football brain that defies his age. He can still develop physically though and his awareness will improve as he gets experience.
If he continues to progress at the same rate, we are going to have a top player.
It’s surely a question of when he’ll join a top flight club. Fulham’s supporters will be hoping he can fire them to the promised land before the bids start rolling in.