Fulham’s Sessegnon has been linked with a move to Tottenham Hotspur among others.
Fulham boss Slavisa Jokanovic has told Get West London that Ryan Sessegnon is not yet ready for Premier League football amid reports linking him with Tottenham Hotspur.
The Daily Mirror reported in October that Tottenham expect to sign Sessegnon, a left-back, in January, with the 16-year-old impressing in his debut campaign at senior level.
Sessegnon (right)
A £5 million fee was suggested in the report, but Jokanovic has urged his employers to remain strong and resist any approach that may come their way.
“We have to be strong and show we are serious in the football business,” the Serbian said, as quoted by Get West London.
“This is the start of Ryan’s football trip, and we try to protect him after only seven or eight games. At the end of the day a football player wants to play football games – and that is with us.
Jokanovic
“He’s really talented, but he’s not prepared yet for the highest league.”
Sessegnon, whose twin brother Steven is also highly regarded by Fulham, has played nine times for the Cottagers in total – scoring twice and providing an assist.
And the west Londoners are said to have tied the England Under-16s captain to a pre-contract that triggers a three-year deal upon his 17th birthday next May.
Were Fulham to lose Sessegnon, though, there are perhaps few better destinations than White Hart Lane, given the impact of Tottenham head coach Mauricio Pochettino on other young Englishmen, such as Harry Kane, Dele Alli and Eric Dier.
Pochettino
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