Tottenham: Why a Sessegnon extension is a good idea for Spurs

Reports on Monday hinted at a new contract extension for Ryan Sessegnon at Tottenham Hotspur. Despite limited success, an extension for Sessegnon is a good idea for Spurs.

Depending on your perspective, the idea of Sessegnon, signing an extension either seems like a good idea or complete madness. Initially signed in the summer of 2019, Sessegnon has only featured 25 for the club, playing less than 1,600 minutes total in a Tottenham shirt.

From the perspective of total contributions over three seasons, sure, signing Sessegnon to any new contract seems strange and just a continuation of the failures which have gotten Spurs in their current mess. That historical look at what Sessegnon has contributed to Tottenham misses the mark on why a contract extension is a good idea for Spurs and Sessegnon. Here are a few reasons a contract extension for Sessegnon would be a good idea.

Conte rates Sessegnon, so should Tottenham

Sessegnon has made 14 appearances in the Premier League for Spurs, with eight appearances coming since Antonio Conte took over Tottenham. Whether or not I or anyone else rates Sessegnon as a footballer, Conte does. If Antonio thinks he can develop Sessegnon into a top-quality wing-back, who is anyone to doubt him?

One of the issues with the club over the last several years has been the inability to back their coach fully. While we typically think of supporting their coach as signing new players, if there are players within the club who the coach wants to keep, those players should also be a priority.

Backing Conte means keeping the players he wants as much as it is shipping out the players he does not want and signing new players who fit his needs. If Conte has made it clear that Sessegnon is part of his future, then Tottenham should secure that future.

Is Reguilon staying at Tottenham?

Another reason securing the future of Sessegnon makes sense is he may be the team’s only left wing-back as the summer transfer market opens. Reports suggest that Real Madrid holds a buy-back clause on Reguilon from the original deal made with Spurs.

Essentially, Real Madrid had a two-year buy-back clause, which will expire if not exercised this summer. With Marcelo likely leaving in the summer, the possibility would exist for Reguilon to slot back in at Madrid. However, given his role this season, Ferland Mendy may have something to say about that.

Although a possibility, Reguilon is likely to stay in London as Madrid has Miguel Gutierrez in the pipeline and has other needs than a 40 million Euro left-back who is expected to platoon with Mendy. That said if Reguilon were to return to Spain, having Sessegnon’s situation secured would be a plus.

A contract will help Sessegnon’s confidence

With his limited opportunities over the last several seasons, Sessegnon needs minutes and confidence. Conte is already starting to provide the minutes for Sessegnon and is beginning to be rewarded with his first Premier League assist for Spurs. A contract extension would be a real boost for Sessegnon and help his confidence grow.

Even if all this turns out to be is the club activating a one-year extension that was always part of his original transfer from Fulham, showing that the club continues to believe in him would be a big deal

If a new contract helps Sessegnon’s confidence, gives Spurs some security if Madrid takes Reggie back, and makes Conte happy, then it sounds like a win all around.