Saturday 29 September 2018 07:52, UK
Slavisa Jokanovic has predicted Fulham's Ryan Sessegnon will become an England international in the near future.
The 18-year-old's progress has continued since the club's promotion to the Premier League and he can play in defence, midfield or attack.
Ahead of Fulham's trip to Everton on Saturday, Jokanovic said he thinks the time is at hand for England to call on Sessegnon.
Jokanovic, who wants Sessegnon to sign a new deal, said: "Truly, I believe it will be soon that he will be part of the English national team.
"I never spoke to (Gareth) Southgate (England manager) about him. I spoke to people from the FA, before the World Cup.
"Some people think he's a winger and some think he's a full-back. He can play perfectly in both positions.
"His numbers are fantastic, as we check how many metres he is running in high intensity. You can be impressed with his physical performance.
"He is clinical in the opposite box and can score goals easy."
Jokanovic dismissed criticism of Sessegnon's defending and insists he is as accomplished at left-back as he has proven further forward.
"Somebody says he is not strong enough to be a defender and they are completely wrong," the Fulham boss added.
"He's actually seven kilograms bigger than when he started working with us, that's seven kilograms of muscle on his body. You can detect a big difference.
"I don't know a winger or a defender who is stronger who can stop him. He must use this power in a legal way, with the experience he will use the body, use more physical contact.
"It's weird we are talking about an 18-year-old player. I try talking about this when you are talking about men.
"He's a kid with a body like a man. His limit is high.
"Close to the goal or far from the goal he can defend perfectly against any player, and still I am talking about an 18-year-old kid.
"I cannot compare, but I remember myself when I was 18 and I could not play in any position."
