Fulham defender Tim Ream believes highly rated Ryan Sessegnon is better off at Craven Cottage where he is playing first team football than in a Premier League academy.
The 16-year-old, who will sign his first professional deal at the club when he turns 17 on May 18, has made 19 appearances for the Whites this season, scoring four goals.
This included a magnificent performance against Saturday's opponents Cardiff in the FA Cup third round.
While the Fulham full back, who has been tipped to be the next Gareth Bale, has not played as much as an academy player would do, those appearances have come in first team football, which Ream believes is better for him.
The American said: “He may be playing every week in the academy but he's playing with the reserve team or under 18s.
“Here, he's fully involved in first team football. He may not be playing every week but he's training every week and being around the first team.
“He's definitely more mature than a 16-year-old. He's a quiet kid and it's safe to say him being here is a better situation than going to a big glamorous club and not being involved in the first team.
“It's the perfect place for his development and he's developed quickly and made the first team at 16 which is scary as he's closer in age to my son than he is to me.
“It's scary to think about but he's got a long time in the game and a bright future.”
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