‘I’m over the moon for him’: Danny Rose praises impact of Ryan Sessegnon after teenager scores on his first start for Tottenham against Bayern Munich
- Ryan Sessegnon became Tottenham’s youngest Champions League goalscorer
- The 19-year-old’s powerful drive was too hot to handle for Manuel Neuer
- Danny Rose has praised his resilience after coming back from injury problems
- Jose Mourinho and Eric Dier believe Sessegnon has room to improve also
Tottenham’s players are predicting a bright future for Ryan Sessegnon after the teenager became the club’s youngest Champions League goal scorer.
Nineteen-year-old Sessegnon was on target for Spurs in a 3-1 defeat in Bayern Munich on Wednesday, his first start since a £25million move from Fulham in the summer.
‘He was brilliant,’ said Danny Rose, who played at left-back with Sessegnon deployed ahead of him on the left wing. ‘His goal was a brilliant finish, he helped me out as well defending.
Ryan Sessegnon scored on his first Tottenham start with a powerful finish past Manuel Neuer
It was a special moment for the 19-year-old, but Bayern still ran out 3-1 winners on the night
‘He’s so unselfish and he was a big threat attacking as well. I’m over the moon for him and I hope that is the first of many for him.’
Sessegnon’s season has been frustrated by hamstring problems which started while on international duty with England Under-21s.
‘We know Ryan is for the future,’ said Rose. ‘We know what he can do now, but he was just so unlucky. He arrived at the club injured and then he had a bit of a setback but I hope there’s not a lot of pressure on him.
‘He is so down to earth, he’s so quiet. We’re all looking forward to seeing what he can do for us in the coming years.’
Danny Rose celebrates Sessegnon’s goal on Wednesday, with Giovani Lo Celso alongside
Jose Mourinho claimed Sessegnon had the natural talent to become a left back like Ashley Cole but thinks he must improve his defensive qualities before he is trusted in a defensive position.
‘We know the quality he has,’ said Mourinho. ‘He always arrives in dangerous positions and he’s a good finisher. He can improve. He lost too many individual duels. He has a lot to develop but the potential is there.’
Eric Dier is certain Sessegnon has the attitude to learn and improve.
Eric Dier captained Tottenham against Bayern Munich but Jose Mourinho’s side fell to a defeat
‘He is a very exciting player,’ said Dier. ‘He has a lot of potential in all areas of his game. He did really well, scored his goal and hopefully he will continue to improve.
‘Most important for me is that he’s a really good guy, very humble and very hard working. I think he’s his own person and I hope he continues to be that because that’s the best way to move forward.
‘He’s that type of person. He’s very sure of himself, he’s shown he’s very sure of himself at this level and I saw no difference in him to every other day which is nice to see.’