Jermain Defoe praised Ryan Sessegnon for being ‘a threat’ for Tottenham during their 1-0 FA Cup defeat to Middlesbrough on Tuesday night, as he told Match of the Day.
It was another night to forget for Spurs because they were out-fought and outperformed by a Championship side, including in extra-time, despite Antonio Conte playing a full-strength team.
Chris Wilder’s side are sitting just outside of the play-off places in England’s second-tier.
But, judging by last night’s performance, it was Boro who looked like a Premier League outfit and not the north London club.
Nonetheless, this is what Defoe had to say about Sessegnon and the faith Conte is now putting in him.
“I think Sessegnon has had a little bit of joy,” said Defoe. “He has been a threat all night.
“He has no intention of getting the ball to feet. He just wants to run in behind and has looked really sharp.
“Of course (Conte showing faith in him now that he’s starting consistently), as players you need that rhythm.”
In 2019, with Mauricio Pochettino at the helm and after years of being linked with the player, Spurs secured the talents of Sessegnon from Fulham.
But the 21-year-old has had an injury-hit time during his days at the club and he has only been out on the pitch 26 times.
To put that into context, Emerson Royal, who joined in the summer, has already played 30 games since moving to England.
The talent is there with Sessegnon, it’s just a case of getting regular minutes under his belt, finding a role in the team, whether it’s as a wing-back or further forward and then moving on from there.
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