Jennings compares Sessegnon’s recent struggles to Gareth Bale’s at Tottenham

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Huw Jennings is the head of Fulham’s thriving academy and also worked at Southampton in an era when the likes of Gareth Bale came through the ranks.

He knows all about what it takes for a young player to come through and become a successful professional and that’s why he remains relaxed about Ryan Sessegnon’s travails this season.

According to the Sunday People, 17/03, page 54, Jennings said: “Ryan, by his own admission, is finding it tougher at the moment. I’ve had the privilege to work with Gareth Bale, Theo Walcott, Adam Lallana and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

“All of those guys have had hurdles to overcome. Gareth was saddled with the fact that Spurs never won when he was in the team early on. It’s how they deal with it that sets them apart. Ryan will come through this tricky patch.”

Sessegnon is reminiscent of a young Bale with the way he can play at either left-back or on the wing with pace and guile, but he has struggled this season as the Cottagers have lost their way upon their return to the Premier League.

Bale is even finding now at Real Madrid that tough times follow top players throughout their career and the fact that Jennings feels Sessegnon is well-equipped to deal with those highs and lows is a promising sign.

The Englishman looks set for his next move, in truth, and that should see him go on and kick his career into another gear just like Bale did after leaving Southampton.