How good can Ryan Sessegnon become?

Of the three new singings captured by Spurs in the transfer window, Ryan Sessegnon’s £25 million capture from Fulham was perhaps the least surprising.

That the 19-year-old has seemed destined for Spurs colours for quite some time now shouldn’t, however, take away from the excitement around his capture.

The England Under 21 international will be keen to put Fulham’s disjointed and disappointing relegation season behind him and remind everyone why he’s so highly thought of. So, just how good can he be?

The comparisons with Gareth Bale have perhaps been a little overdone. That’s understandable given the fact that both are quick, exciting, left-sided players who have been signed by Spurs and have an eye for a goal.

While Bale’s brilliance lies in a natural talent for the spectacular – and long-range finishing – that naturally pushed him towards the final third, Sessegnon is probably destined for a berth at left back as the long-term heir to Danny Rose. That’s not to say his attacking talents will be curbed – and his 16-goal Championship promotion campaign with the Cottagers is proof of his credentials – but former boss Slavisa Jokanovic’s description of Sessegnon as a cross between Bale and Marcelo is apt.

Jokanovic, manager of Al-Gharafa in Qatar, told the Mirror: “Ryan is really competitive, I’d highlight his focus on the game and his hard work.

“Since he started being a regular with us at the first team he always showed to be keen to listen to the manager and improve and you never had the feeling he was not ready for it.

“Over a hundred games and over 30 in Premier League by the age of 19, you get the experience required to take this step.

“I believe he can perfectly play for Spurs and has still got a huge career ahead and room for improvement.”

Team mates have similarly been impressed with Sessegnon’s natural ability. Upon joining him at Fulham last season, Andre Schurrle has been tipped off to look out for Sessegnon and was impressed with what he saw.

The World Cup winner remarked: “Jadon Sancho said, ‘there’s a young guy at Fulham who’s maybe going to make it’. That was the first time I heard Sessegnon’s name.

“He’s a strong guy. When you hear he’s 18, he obviously needs some time to think and develop his game. But he’s a great young player, you see it in training.

“His left foot is amazing as is his strength and ability to run. I think you can get good things out of him.”

Sessegnon’s natural talent is undoubted – but so too is his mature attitude and tactical nous. His international tournament experience with England – including an Under 19 European Championships win – will stand him in good stead and playing 120 senior games already contributes to him having an old head on young shoulders.

It’s important to be realistic though. Signing Sessegnon doesn’t suddenly propel Spurs to title contenders – 16/1 with William Hill seems about right – and it’s important for fans and pundits to be as level-headed as the man himself.

Upon signing, he told the club’s website his ambitions for the campaign ahead are: “First and foremost, to work hard and to learn from everyone in the team. I want to learn what it means to play for Tottenham, the honour of the Club. I’ll work hard to try to earn my spot and hopefully get some minutes under my belt.”

With Pochettino as tutor, there’s every chance Sessegnon will learn a lot and be a great asset for club and country. For this season, he can give the squad greater depth and provide an opportunity to manage the workload in Europe and the cups. If he can handle the step and fulfil even a fraction of his potential then £25 million will soon look like a very small fee indeed. For the short, medium and especially long term, this is a signing to be excited about.