Can Conte jumpstart Ryan Sessegnon’s Tottenham career?

How Conte can change Sessegnon’s Spurs career

One of the biggest challenges for Sessegnon at Tottenham – outside his fitness issues – has been his position. Sessegnon is versatile and has played both left-winger and left-back for Tottenham.

The problem with his positions has been one of competition. At left-wing, Son Heung-Min and Steven Bergwijn – just to name two – stand between Sessegnon and any real minutes. At left-back – in a traditional back four – Ben Davies and Sergio Reguilon are both in front of him.

Essentially third on the depth chart at two positions, Sessegnon, when available, has struggled to get opportunities.  Now with Conte as the new Tottenham coach and a new formation that uses outside midfielders or wing-backs, the picture has changed.

We saw on the weekend, Conte used the right-footed Matt Doherty to replace Reguilon later in the match. Presumably, with some fitness and time, Sessegnon would work his way in front of Doherty in the pecking order on the left and even give Reguilon some competition.

With new fitness coaches, a new fitness regime, and frankly a new philosophy coming into N17, it is possible that Sessegnon can get himself healthy and fit. The question is can he also get firing.  We have seen this before with Conte. He did wonders at Chelsea for Marcus Alonzo and last season he was instrumental and the breakthrough of Achraf Hakimi at Inter, just to name two.

Sessegnon is still young at just 21 and if he can find a position to call his own where he starts to get some consistent minutes – and stays healthy – Ryan can still come good. If any coach can get a wide player to start playing to their full potential, it is Antonio Conte.