Tottenham Hotspur winger Ryan Sessegnon has revealed that he is working closely with new manager José Mourinho to try and recapture his best form.
The 19-year-old was viewed as one of English football's brightest young prospects when he sealed his big-money move to Spurs in the summer, but he has managed just eight appearances in all competitions this year as a result of injuries and instability at the club.
However, speaking to Sky Sports News, Sessegnon discussed Mourinho's impact on him and the advice which the manager has given to try and get the best out of him.
"I think he wants to vary me in different positions," he said.
"[He wants me to] be more positive on the ball as well. I've been a bit disappointed in myself, the way I have been playing recently. It's an honest assessment from me looking back at it.
His situation bears plenty of similarities to current Real Madrid star Gareth Bale. During the Welshman's early days at Spurs, he struggled to find his best form and was even quickly labelled as a flop, before turning things around in emphatic fashion.
Sessegnon still has a long way to go to match Bale's standards, but he confessed that he wants to emulate the Welshman's success at the club.
"I think [the comparisons are] definitely a confidence boost. [Bale] was one of the players that I looked up to when I was younger, especially when he was at Southampton bombing up on the wing," he confessed.
"He has attributes that I want to add to my game. In terms of attacking intent, the mentality to get in behind on the left flank and dribble with the ball, I'm trying to add a little bit of that into my game.
"If I could ever become as great as he has become it would be a massive achievement. I'm so far off at the moment.
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Source : 90min