How has Benjamin Sesko’s start aligned with your expectations, given that he hasn’t played in the Premier League before? It appeared that Bruno was becoming frustrated with him during the match against Forest, especially when Benjamin opted to shoot instead of passing to Bruno, even though he had a good opportunity. Are you feeling reassured about his current form?
“Yes, I’m quite relaxed about it. However, he isn’t as relaxed. What I mean is that I’m aware of how things work in football, and it’s completely normal for him to face challenges. He lacks experience in this environment, and when everyone labels you as the ‘next big thing,’ it adds immense pressure, especially when you join a club with high expectations. If you don’t perform consistently, you’ll hear criticism from club legends, pundits, and the media, and sometimes they are justified. The ability to process that criticism while keeping your confidence intact can be very difficult for a young player, particularly one who likes to exert control over situations. I recognize that, and I’ve noted from the moment I started training with Ben that his potential is even greater than I anticipated. He will encounter difficulties, and we need to learn how he prefers to play while integrating our ideas. Overall, I’m quite at ease with where he is at. He will be our long-term striker, but he will experience ups and downs along the way, and that’s just part of the game.”
Gary Neville mentioned that Benjamin Sesko seems to be significantly underperforming. What are your thoughts on that, and do you believe former players’ comments impact current players?
“Absolutely, no one enjoys hearing such remarks, but it’s important to acknowledge that he has indeed struggled, and that’s a reality. So, let’s face it head-on. It’s not personal; it’s simply an opinion that can change over time. What’s considered true today could easily be seen differently in three weeks. So, it’s tough to hear, but my advice to Ben is to get used to it; over time, it will become just a part of the process. We’re here to support him and help him through it, as he puts in a lot of hard work, and we want him to succeed. I believe he will succeed.”
