Ryan Sessegnon’s England future to be decided after the summer, reveals U21 manager Aidy Boothroyd

Ryan Sessegnon’s England future will be assessed following the summer after the winger, who turned 18 on Friday, was omitted from the World Cup squad and the Under-21s’ plans for the Toulon Tournament.

He has scored 16 goals for Fulham this season, with the Cottagers chasing a Premier League return as they face Aston Villa in the Championship play-off final on Saturday.

That match put him out of the picture for Toulon, with England facing China the same day, but senior boss Gareth Southgate has admitted Sessegnon is in his future plans. However, he will be handled with care and Under-21 boss Aidy Boothroyd insists Sessegnon will not be rushed.

Boothroyd said: “It’s about where we put him and also where we think he can get to. Those are the conversations we have about individual players every three or four months when we have an audit. The next one is after the summer so we’ll look at Ryan and look at where we picture him.

“In terms of England, he’s got one Under-21 cap. He did OK, didn’t pull up any trees but we know he’s a wonderful player who will thrive at Fulham and certainly with us. He’s an exceptional talent – I’m surprised he didn’t get a Bafta this week as he’s got everything else. He’s going to have to get the biggest sideboard known to man for all his awards.

“But the thing which excites me about him is he’s so focused about what he wants to do. Nothing is going to get in his way. It’s going to be really interesting as he’s a marked man now, the best players will work it out and come through it and he will because he’s an outstanding talent.”

Boothroyd gave Sessegnon his Under-21 debut in March in their 2-1 Euro 2019 qualifying win over Ukraine.

Others have shone this season but are yet to earn Under-21 honours. They include Manchester City’s Phil Foden, Borussia Dortmund’s Jadon Sancho and Chelsea’s Mason Mount, who has impressed on loan at Vitesse.

Meanwhile, Trent Alexander-Arnold has graduated from Boothroyd’s side to earn a World Cup call-up this summer.

“Anyone (Foden) who can get into Manchester City’s team – that’s a hell of a team – is doing well,” Boothroyd said. “Sancho, Mason Mount, these are all young players doing really well in their teams at the moment.

“Tom Davies and Trent Alexander-Arnold – these guys keep doing what they are doing, they are going past the Under-21s. There’s a time to keep them together and a time to push on. We don’t bring players up to be on the bench. If they are playing and thriving they will get moved up.”

PA