Former Premier League striker Noel Whelan feels that an opportunity has opened up for Tottenham’s Ryan Sessegnon to make the England World Cup squad.
Sessegnon has regularly been deployed in a left wing-back role at Tottenham this season, starting each of the side’s last three league games.
He scored in the recent victory over Bournemouth and the 22-year-old may profit from an untimely injury to Ben Chilwell.
The Chelsea full-back will miss the tournament as a result of a hamstring problem he sustained in the dying embers of their Champions League fixture last week.
Speaking to Football Insider, Whelan has now said: “The door is open for quite a few players now.
“This is a schedule that has been crammed full of games – the injury list was always going to be a big problem.
“It’s just been relentless, and it’s a massive blow for Chilwell.
“This is an opportunity for someone to come in and showcase their talents now, and possibly be part of something really special.
“It opens the door for Sessegnon. He’ll be thinking that if he can put the performances in over the next two weeks, there could be a surprise in store.”
TIF Thoughts on Whelan’s comments…
Could Sessegnon go to the World Cup?Yes
No
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The £19.2m-rated Spurs ace is an 18-cap England U21 international but is yet to receive a full cap for the Three Lions.
He played for the U21s as recently as September and has been a major part of Antonio Conte’s plans with 10 starts this season despite Ivan Perisic arriving in the summer.
His 6.51 average match rating (WhoScored) in the Premier League is better than that of Richarlison, Clement Lenglet and Yves Bissouma, which highlights the level he’s been performing at for the Lilywhites this term.
Only Harry Kane and Son Heung-min have averaged more shots per game than the flying wing-back and we feel the £53k-per-week ace could well be an outside shot for Gareth Southgate’s England panel.