‘Most difficult period of my career so far’ – Sessegnon opens up on struggles at Spurs

Tottenham Hotspur youngster, Ryan Sessegnon, started yet another game for the club in the FA Cup this week against Southampton at the new stadium in North London.

Sessegnon initially featured as a left-wing-back, but was eventually asked to move back into a flat back four when Mourinho switched things up in search of a goal.

It was another opportunity for Sessegnon to gain some experience at the top level for Spurs, after having impressed at Fulham in the Championship and Premier League for a number of years.

However, the teenager has not quite hit lift-off in North London as of yet, looking a way off the dynamic and pacey wing-back we grew accustomed to seeing bomb down the flanks for the Cottagers.

In an honest interview with the Evening Standard, Sessegnon admitted that the start to his Tottenham career was the most difficult period he has experienced in football. He also claimed that he sets high standards for himself, but is trying to grow in confidence.

Sessegnon said: “It [the Southampton game] was definitely better. It’s been coming. Every time I go on the pitch I try to be positive and in recent weeks when I’ve had the chance it’s probably been a bit negative. When I came to Spurs, it was tough at the start but I’m starting to find my feet and the more games I play the more confident I am.

“I set my standards very high. Everyone sees that. Perhaps I am a bit hard on myself but that’s the way I am. I set the bar very high. Unless I reach those targets I’m not happy.

“To play under a coach like Mourinho is very tactical. He doesn’t like to concede goals, so I’m trying to adjust my game in a defensive way as well. He wants me to be aggressive, so that’s what I’m trying to do.

“You have to work on it. Over the years I’ve worked on trying to better myself, working hard in training, analysing my game and stuff like that. It comes with experience of games and stuff.”

“It was tough, really tough. It was my first serious injury and to come to a big club like this, I was trying to find my feet. I came back in training and then I felt it again, so it was tough. Thankfully I’m now pain-free and enjoying my football.

“Coming to the game quite young, I was used to playing every game without any type injuries. To come to a big club when I’m still young, still developing, still learning, to get an injury like that was mentally and physically tough. Thank God I’m pain-free now and I just want to keep playing games.

“Last year in the Championship there were a lot of games and I had to adapt quickly and become a man very quickly. It’s part of game, some people come later, some come earlier. I’m no different, I just want to stay focused and start playing games.”

The Standard also quote that Sessegnon said Tottenham had been “the most difficult period of my career so far,” adding that he had “lost confidence” while injured in the matchday programme on Wednesday (05/02/20 Tottenham programme vs Southampton).

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