‘You know what’ – Liverpool transfer target reveals why he decided to make £25M Tottenham move
Ryan Sessegnon has shared the reasoning behind his decision to join Tottenham Hotspur from Fulham, a move that took place despite significant interest from Liverpool. The talented left-back was one of the most sought-after young players at the time, but his ultimate choice to sign for Spurs came down to factors he deemed pivotal for his career progression.
Liverpool, long plagued by issues at the left-back position before the arrival of Andy Robertson in 2017, had shown interest in Sessegnon. For years, the Reds struggled to find consistency in that role, with several signings failing to meet expectations.
Players like Paul Konchesky, Christian Ziege, Julian Dicks, Andrea Dossena, and Aly Cissokho are often cited as underwhelming choices. Beyond standout performers like John Arne Riise and, to some extent, Fabio Aurelio, Liverpool’s history with left-backs has been a point of concern for fans.
However, Robertson’s arrival transformed the position, and he swiftly became one of the Premier League’s best under Jürgen Klopp.
The Scotland international, now in his thirties, has seen his form come under scrutiny in recent seasons, with injuries and inconsistent performances raising questions about Liverpool’s long-term plans for the position.
With his contract set to expire in 2026, the club may need to explore options for a future replacement. Robertson’s legacy at Anfield is secure, having played a vital role in winning every major honor during his illustrious career with the Reds, but the search for younger alternatives is likely to be a priority for Liverpool in the coming years.
Before Robertson’s emergence, Liverpool actively scouted the market for a left-back solution. High-profile targets like Benjamin Mendy and Emerson Palmieri were considered, as were younger talents such as Ben Chilwell and Ryan Sessegnon.
While Sessegnon ultimately decided on a move to Tottenham Hotspur in August 2019 for a reported £25 million, his time in North London was marked by injuries, limiting his ability to make a significant impact. After years of struggles at Spurs, Sessegnon returned to Fulham on a free transfer last summer, marking a full-circle moment in his career.
Reflecting on his choice to join Tottenham, Sessegnon revealed the key factors behind his decision. Speaking on the Rising Ballers podcast, he explained that Tottenham’s persistent interest and the presence of then-manager Mauricio Pochettino played a decisive role.
According to Sessegnon, Pochettino’s reputation for developing young players and the team’s recent success were compelling reasons to make the move.
“So Tottenham were chasing me for a number of years, and I knew that Pochettino at the time wanted me a lot,” Sessegnon shared. “Once I kind of saw that Tottenham were really pushing to sign me, that’s when I thought, ‘you know what.’
And they’d just gotten to the Champions League final the year before when they lost against Liverpool. So I thought, me as a young player working under Pochettino, it was probably the right time to go there and work under him—so I decided to make the jump.”
Sessegnon emphasized that the relegation of Fulham from the Premier League also influenced his decision-making process. As he weighed his options, Tottenham’s long-standing interest and commitment to signing him stood out. “I knew what teams were after me that season we got relegated in the Premier League.
From there, it was just about kind of choosing where I wanted to go,” he added. “My agent told me about all the things behind the scenes with the club and how they wanted to sign me. All that kind of stuff.”
While Liverpool had been in the mix for Sessegnon’s signature, their failure to secure the player highlighted the challenges of finding the right fit for their squad at the time. Instead, they opted for Robertson, a decision that has proven transformative for the club.
For Sessegnon, the move to Spurs represented an opportunity to grow under a manager renowned for nurturing young talent, even if injuries ultimately hindered his development during his time at the club.
Sessegnon’s reflections provide insight into the complexities of career decisions faced by young footballers. His journey underscores how factors such as managerial influence, team trajectory, and personal development opportunities play a critical role in shaping a player’s path.
While his time at Tottenham didn’t fully meet expectations, his reasoning for choosing the club remains a testament to the importance of long-term vision in professional football. As he continues to rebuild his career back at Fulham, Sessegnon’s story serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of football and the factors that influence the game’s biggest decisions.