It’s safe to say that Ryan Sessegnon is one of the biggest talents in English football at the moment.
The winger, who only turned 18 a couple of months ago, was one of the standout stars of Fulham’s promotion charge last season and was even rumoured to be a wildcard for England’s World Cup squad over the summer.
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Thankfully, Gareth Southgate refrained from throwing the youngster in at the deep end for the time being.
But this season could still be a big one for the youngster, as he experiences life in the top-flight for the first time.
We’re bloody excited to see what he can do, considering what he’s achieved already.
But what does the future hold for this wonderkid beyond Fulham’s return to the big time?
Maybe he’ll lead England to glory at the 2022 World Cup or become the world’s most expensive player when he (inevitably) signs for Real Madrid?
Anyway, we decided to find out by simulating the next 15 season on Football Manager 2018 and monitoring his progress.
Here’s what happened.
Move to the Premier League
It didn’t take long before the vultures started circling the youngster.
And after just one good season for Fulham – in which he helped them challenge for promotion (much like in real life) – the likes of Southampton and Arsenal were seemingly interested.
However, it was Leicester who eventually signed him, coughing up £18 million in time for the 2018/2019 season.
It’s worth noting that he’s already exceeded the expectations of Football Manager boffins, ending the season in the Championship with just four goals and five assists – a far cry from his real life haul of 16 goals and seven assists.
Breakthrough
At Leicester, Sessegnon predictably struggles to break into the first-team in his first season, with the likes of Riyad Mahrez and Demarai Gray ahead of him in the pecking order.
He gets more joy at left-back, making 18 appearances in defence as he competes against Christian Fuchs and Ben Chillwell for a place in the starting line-up.
England debut
Sessegnon played for England at European Under-19 championships last summer and duly made the team of the tournament, finishing as the joint top goalscorer – so no doubt his debut for the England seniors is on the horizon.
In our simulation, he finds himself rubbing shoulders with the big boys by late 2018, after being picked for a Euro 2020 qualifier against Hungary.
It’s not long before he finds himself starting regularly for the Three Lions and he ends up making the 23-man squad for Euro 2020.
At the tournament, he’s mostly used as a back-up for Ryan Bertrand at left-back, but also challenges Marcus Rashford’s place on the left-wing.
Big money move
Things are looking very good by 2022, with Sessegnon a big part of England’s World Cup team that narrowly loses out to Brazil in the semi-finals.
Despite that, it wasn’t until 2025 that he moves to one of the big boys in the shape of Man City for a fairly sizeable £39 million.
At City, things really take off swiftly in the following years, and by 2030 he’s picked up three Champions League winner’s medals and four Premier League titles.
It’s at this point that he’s firmly considered one of the best players in the Premier League and one of City’s most important players.
England centurion
But while he enjoys untold success at club level, there’s World Cup heartache in the post as – at the peak of his powers – he misses out on the 2026 World Cup with a knock.
England’s best player missing a major tournament through injury? Unheard of.
Still, he recovers and by 2028 – at the age of 28 – he reaches over 100 caps for the Three Lions.
Now he’s just got to do it in real life.
No pressure, huh?
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READ MORE:
- Here’s what will happen at the 2018 World Cup according to Football Manager
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