Slavisa Jokanovic was delighted with another composed display from teenager Ryan Sessegnon, who stepped off the bench to replace Floyd Ayite, and became Fulham’s youngest-ever goalscorer by opening the scoring against Cardiff City yesterday.
The England youth international, heavily linked with a move away from Craven Cottage to one of the big Premier League sides, had been named amongst the substitutes after an impressive league debut at Leeds United in midweek. But he was called on shortly before half time after Ayite went down clutching his hamstring. The 16 year-old played in advanced left wing role, operating ahead of Scott Malone, and showed excellent anticipation to fire home a Sone Aluko cross to give Fulham the lead.
Jokanovic, who has been careful in his public comments about Sessegnon’s emergence into the first team, was impressed by the mature nature of the youngster’s display.
It can be good for us. This player is a winner. He always want to win the game and push to the very end. He’s 16 years and 3 months old.
He is very young player. He has to be happy as today he scored his first professional goal at Fulham. We need to assess him and help him and I’m sure in the future he can be an important part of my squad and help us.
He can play in different positions but he can play at full-back. When we lost Floyd Ayité I played him further forward. He is a good project for Fulham.
