Letter to Tottenham’s Mauricio: Let the Foyth, Sessegnon generation begin

At this point handing the full back reins to Juan Foyth and Ryan Sessegnon should be an elementary decision for Tottenham’s Mauricio Pochettino. 

Enough has been said about Danny Rose and Serge Aurier’s plight. Both veterans have played their way off the squad, so let’s leave it at that. Nobody can protect Pochettino’s job if he doesn’t see it that way. It’s as crystal clear a decision as Jurgen Klopp’s choice to move Loris Karius after his catastrophic Champions League Final performance against Real Madrid. There are no ifs, ands or buts.

Foyth and Sessegnon are Tottenham’s full backs of the future, and it’s high time they get their chance to prove themselves at the top level. There is an unmistakable disclaimer to Foyth and Sessegnon’s crowning, the importance of which cannot be understated. Management and supporters alike must afford both youngsters a wide berth. Patience and understanding, even if Tottenham find themselves on the wrong side of a few results, must be longstanding and without prejudice.

In other words, faith for players of their comparative inexperience can’t come with an expiry date. Foyth and Sessegnon have top flight experience, but not enough to expect immediate miracles.

Tottenham, however, are not in a rebuilding phase. A club of their stature, who are perennial top-four dwellers, expect to be near the apex of English football. And rightly so.

But unless Tottenham are willing to shell out hundreds of millions of pounds on élite full backs, Pochettino will need to nurture Foyth and Sessegnon, providing mentorship, guidance and inspiration. And beyond that Pochettino must remain steadfast, ensuring both youngsters are regular fixtures in Tottenham’s first 11. Bit part roles and cameo appearances will not be enough to ensure Foyth and Sessegnon fulfil their expansive potential.

Pochettino, based on his seemingly unwavering commitment to Rose and Aurier, should have no reservations about backing players who aren’t getting favourable results. Foyth and Sessegnon deserve that type of resolute commitment too.

Expose them to the full rigours and demands of the Premier League and help them grow. Sessegnon is coming back from a long-term injury so erring on the side of caution in his case is justified. But he needs match time and an ample amount of it when he returns to full fitness.

Rose and Aurier can impart their knowledge from the sidelines and in training. Let Sessegnon and Foyth be our new guiding lights. And don’t punish them for the mistakes they’re bound to commit.