Fulham prodigy Ryan Sessegnon may only be 16 but he’s already being hailed as the next Ashley Cole
RYAN SESSEGNON has been hailed as ‘the next Ashley Cole’.
The Fulham whizkid is already a first-team regular at Craven Cottage despite still only being SIXTEEN.
Ryan Sessegnon is being hailed as the next Ashley ColeRex Features
England stalwart Cole had a stellar career, winning trophies galore at both Arsenal and Chelsea while amassing a whopping 107 caps for his country.
But even the legendary left-back did not make the impact that Sessegnon has at such an early age, with Cole debuting for the Gunners at 18.
The Cottagers teen sensation, wanted by a fleet of top Premier League clubs, has scored seven goals in 29 appearances this season and was named in the PFA’s Championship Team of the Season.
Team-mate Tom Cairney told SunSport: “He’s the most level-headed boy I’ve ever seen.
“At the start of the season the manager put in him in at left-back away to Leeds. I remember thinking, ‘This boy is 16 and it’s Leeds away, how will he deal with it mentally?’
“But ever since then he’s taken everything in his stride.
“He’s physically blessed and I think he’s going to go from strength to strength to strength.
Ryan Sessegnon has scored seven goals in 29 appearances this seasonPA:Press AssociationThe Craven Cottage star has been compared to former England left-back Ashley ColePA:Press Association
“He’s got seven goals from left-back this season which is incredible. To get in the Team of the Year at 16 – he’s just done his GCSEs!
“I don’t really understand it but it’s one of them that comes round every so often. He could be the next Ashley Cole.”
Liverpool have been heavily linked with a summer move for Sessegnon – though there is said to be interest from Manchester United and Arsenal too.
Whether the youngster moves or not, he could well be playing in the top flight next season anyway after helping Fulham reach the play-offs.
Slavisa Jokanovic’s side, guaranteed to finish in sixth, will find out today who they will face at the Cottage on Saturday evening for the semi-final first leg following the final fixtures of the regular campaign.
It could be Huddersfield, Reading or today’s opponents Sheffield Wednesday.
Ashley Cole won the Premier League twice and three FA Cups with ArsenalPA:Press Association
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But whoever they play, red-hot Fulham will fancy themselves to make it through, such is their fine form.
And with the fearless attitude of starlet like Sessegnon, there is no reason why they cannot go all they way to Wembley glory.
Yet there is no chance of any success going to the teenager’s head, as Cairney explained.
The Scot, 26, said: “He’s fairly quiet. Whatever he does, whatever accolades he gets, he just takes in his stride.
“The biggest compliment I could give him is he just always the same, day in, day out, and I don’t think a lot of 16-year-old boys could be like that with what he’s achieved.
“He’s such a nice lad and it couldn’t happen to a nicer boy. But I think one day you could be saying, ‘I played with him’.”
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