Why Ryan Sessegnon’s captaincy snub represents a worrying situation at Fulham

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When Tom Cairney came off the pitch in Fulham’s match with Manchester City on Saturday, the Fulham captain removed his armband.

But what surprised many is what happened next — Cairney handed the precious armband to Ryan Babel.

Many would have been delighted to see another Ryan — Ryan Sessegnon — receive the armband in his 100th senior appearance, but the snub of the Fulham academy product is a worrying sign for the Whites.

Babel only joined the club in January and was signed on a short-term deal until the end of the season. It was a baffling decision, as opposed to giving Sessegnon the captaincy, a player who has been at Fulham for the best part of a decade and truly loves the club.

The armband may not have been the most influential part of the match on Saturday, but it speaks volumes in a symbolic sense.

In a season filled with so many devastating moments, gifting the armband to a club legend and beloved player would have been a beautiful scene.

But the snub of Sessegnon reveals a worrying deeper story, that may indicate a potential departure of the 18-year-old this summer or a lack of leadership from the youngster.