Fulham Re-Signing Ryan Sessegnon on Loan Is a Move That Makes Perfect Sense - For Everyone

05 August 2020 21:09

When Ryan Sessegnon completed his summer switch to Tottenham last year, he was regarded as one of England's most exciting young talents.

Yes, he was unable to stop Fulham from being relegated in 2018/19, but he was still playing regularly and showing frequently why he is so highly rated. This is a player who was setting all kinds of records the season prior in the Championship.

Not only did Sessegnon win the Young Player of the Season award, but he was also named the Championship Player of the Season - at the age of 17.

That's correct, 17 years of age and he took home the award for the best player in England's second division.

Indeed, the 2017/18 season saw him net 15 times in the league and provide a further six assists as well. But it was his ability to step up and deliver on the biggest stage and in the biggest games that was particularly impressive for a player so young. In the play-offs that term, he scored and assisted in the second leg against Derby to help send Fulham through to the final, before setting up the only goal of the game against Aston Villa.

Following the Cottagers' relegation the following season, a number of top European clubs were keen on bringing in Sessegnon. But the versatile player opted to make the switch to Spurs as he wished to play under Mauricio Pochettino - with the hope that he would be given regular first team minutes.

But, to date, it hasn't gone to plan. At all.

Sessegnon was out of action with a hamstring injury until the end of October, but once he finally overcame his injury troubles, Pochettino was on his way out the exit door and Jose Mourinho was brought in to replace him.

In total in 2019/20, Sessegnon played just 341 minutes of Premier League football over six appearances. But more worryingly, the 20-year-old didn't play a single minute of football after play resumed in June. Not one.

Sessegnon's current situation at Tottenham doesn't benefit anyone. The former Fulham man chose Spurs as he viewed the north London side as the best place to continue his development - but this hasn't happened. As for the club, Sessegnon clearly isn't in Mourinho's plans at the moment and this is unlikely to change anytime soon considering the lack of opportunities the boss is giving the youngster.

As a result, a loan move appears to be the most logical next step for both player and club this summer - even if reports have suggested Spurs are hesitant to allow Sessegnon to leave. The Telegraph have now reported that Fulham - who overcame Brentford in the play-off final on Tuesday to book their place in England's top flight for next season - are 'one of the leading candidates' to land their former player on loan this summer.

The report notes that Sessegnon is desperate to play first team football and that he would be open to returning to Craven Cottage and working under Scott Parker again. While there are a number of clubs interested in signing him on loan, Fulham is the perfect destination for Sessegnon.

Parker has insisted that the Cottagers have learned from their mistakes in the Premier League last time and will not be spending unnecessarily this summer. Parker has developed a team that is not only comfortable on the ball and dictating the tempo of a game, but also a group that are willing to do the hard work off the ball as well.

There is a real sense of team unity at the club and Parker will only be looking to bring in players who will buy into the project. As a player who spent 11 years at the club, joining aged eight, Sessegnon fits the bill. Parker also knows how best to utilise the player having worked with him before.

Fulham are in need of a creative player who also knows where the goal is. Indeed, Joe Bryan and Ivan Cavaleiro top the table for assists, both players managing just the seven in total in the league in 2019/20. The west Londoners have been composed on the ball and dominated possession all season, but one of the main criticisms has been their inability to turn their possession into goalscoring opportunities.

With Sessegnon's movement and pace, he would bring something very different to this Fulham team and his arrival would allow them to continue to play intricately, but also with greater incisiveness. To that end, Sessegnon had previously developed an excellent understanding with Mitrovic, linking up to great effect and supplying him with goalscoring opportunities.

The addition of the winger would equally not disrupt the dynamic of the team, which is something Parker is very wary of. Instead, he would act as an outlet for the midfielders. Should he take up a spot on the left wing, Sessegnon is most dangerous when staying wide and this will create the space for the likes of Tom Cairney and Josh Onomah to continue to influence matches. Equally, Sessegnon can fill in at left-back and provide competition for Bryan.

Of course, such a move would cost Fulham very little - but it could well be very rewarding.

At this moment in time, Sessegnon's value is falling by the day, which, of course, doesn't benefit either Spurs or the player. Tottenham aren't keen to offload him permanently - and rightly so - but it's now imperative that he begins to play regularly again if he is to fulfil his undoubted potential.

Not only would a move back to Fulham benefit both clubs, but more importantly, it would give Sessegnon the chance to rediscover his best form. With Parker in charge, Sessegnon would have a manager that recognises his abilities and would give him every opportunity to succeed as well. It should be a no-brainer for Spurs, Fulham and the player.

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Source: 90min