Matthew Chadder

Sat 6 January 2024 13:10, UK

Matthew Chadder is a lifelong Tottenham fan who grew up just down the road from his beloved club in North London. He’s now putting his passion for Spurs into words with a daily fan view for Tottenham News…

I had to double-check and remind myself who Ryan Sessegnon was when I saw his name on the Tottenham teamsheet against Burnley in our 1-0 FA Cup third-round win.

Of course, I say that lightheartedly, but I wouldn’t be surprised if a few less diehard Spurs fans in the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Friday 5 January had to do a quick Google search for his name.

That is how long it has been since the 23-year-old was in action for Tottenham in a competitive match. More or less eleven months to the day to be exact, and Ange Postecoglou would have been delighted to have the opportunity to finally have a look at what the Englishman can do.

It is fair to say that Sessegnon has not lived up to his hype, at all. At one point, the former Fulham man was one of the most exciting young talents in English football, tipped to be the next big thing.

Fast forward four and a half years into his Tottenham career, Sessegnon has come nowhere close to living up to that potential. He has made just 57 appearances in Spurs colours, which averages out at around 12.6 outings per season.

He has scored just three goals and provided only four assists and is yet to make his debut for the senior England men’s team. All in all, it has been a nightmare spell in north London.

At times I have forgotten he was even a Spurs player, and when he has managed to get himself onto the pitch, he has very rarely impressed. His timid and often flat performances have failed to convince the five different managers he has played under at Tottenham of his quality

While sitting here and writing this, I am struggling to think of one memorable Sessegnon performance for Tottenham. He seems a player destined to head to a mid-table Premier League side and look to revive his career.

However, despite everything I have just written, I believe he should be handed the opportunity to revive his career with us and with Postecoglou.

Ultimately, we won’t get much money for the player so there is hardly any point selling. The benefit of a minimal fee does not outweigh the upside of keeping a player who is still only 23.

Sessegnon’s quality was always going forward, and when he has played, he has often been playing as a left-back in a defensive system at Spurs under the likes of Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte.

Now, under Postecoglou, he could perhaps flourish in a more advanced role on the left. He wasn’t on for long enough against Burnley to prove anything, but his one shot at goal toward the end of the match showed his attacking intent.

Postecoglou has already demonstrated he can work miracles in north London, and perhaps he has another one up his sleeve with Sessegnon.

I, for one, would like to find out.

In other Tottenham news, one 64-touch Spurs man was compared to Cristiano Ronaldo by a commentator in the win over Burnley.