Ryan Sessegnon has been putting himself through rigorous muscle strengthening workouts to ensure he is ready for the gruelling pre-season to come under Tottenham head coach Antonio Conte.
The 21-year-old left wing-back finished the Premier League season strongly, having established himself as a regular starter at Tottenham for the first time since his move from Fulham in 2019 and with praise from Conte ringing in his ears. The only problem for Sessegnon once again this season has been hamstring problems, with injuries in different muscles.
football.london reported last month that a joint decision was made to withdraw the young wide man from the England U21 squad's four matches due to the amount of minutes he had played as Spurs' only fit left wing-back late in the season, having only returned from another hamstring injury before.
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Instead the decision was made for Sessegnon to rest his body with a holiday but after some recovery time he has now pushed on with preparatory work to ensure his muscles, and those hamstring areas in particular, are ready for the gruelling demands of a Conte pre-season. The Italian's summer sessions are generally acknowledged as being among the toughest in football as he and his fitness coaches get the players into the utmost physical shape required to handle his demanding tactics throughout a season.
Sessegnon posted a series of Instagram story videos on Saturday showing him working with fitness trainer Dan Lawrence, who was putting him through various exercises involving weights, drills and machines, all appearing to strengthen the various muscle groups in his legs.
As well as stating his belief that Sessegnon has the potential to become a top player for club and country, Conte has also admitted this season that a way has to be found to prevent his hamstring woes.
"Yes we are not talking about a problem, not a new problem, we are talking about a situation that unfortunately is repeating. Not only in this season but also in the past," he told football.london during the player's last hamstring injury-enforced absence in March. "For sure we have to try with the medical department to find a solution to help this player, but sometimes also, I think that there is a predisposition to have this type of problem and especially muscular problems.
"He’s very strong physically. Sometimes maybe to be so strong physically, instead of being good for your body, sometimes it can be a problem. If we are much stronger than your body can [handle] - it is difficult to speak because we are talking about science. I think about this topic is better to speak with the doctor rather than me.
"For sure we are very disappointed. We are very disappointed. We hope to find the best solution to help him not have many injuries. Honestly we were hoping, as for one month and a half he was playing with continuity, also his performances were good, excellent, he was improving.
"I understand, I have seen the disappointment of the player, he is very frustrated. This is the aspect that I worry because he’s very young to see a player like him frustrated about these injuries, is a pity, and also we have to work with him in the human aspect, to stay very close to him and support him."
Sessegnon did return and impressed in the run-in at the end of the season and he explained last month what being a wing-back under Conte demands of you.
"The first time I actually played at wing-back was in Germany, so I had experienced the role a little before Antonio came in, but it was a bit different," he explained. "At Hoffenheim, I wasn't really getting in the box, I was more tucking inside whereas, here, the gaffer wants both wing-backs attacking the box when someone is crossing.
"It is physically demanding, in the up and down nature. You almost have to manage yourself as well because if you want to be lasting the 90 minutes. Obviously, you have to be fit to play that position anyway but to get the full output of the attacking and defensive sides, you have to learn when to really go at it and when to stay."
Sessegnon will have further competition in the left wing-back spot this season with the arrival of Conte favourite Ivan Perisic this summer and the 21-year-old will need his body to be in top working order to ensure he can fight for his place in the starting XI.
