Romain Esse

[Stirlingsays]

A long-standing Millwall supporter and current season-ticket holder has texted me stating that in his opinion Esse is the best player Millwall have produced for a while.

I'm not sure where that puts him.

From what I've seen I must admit I remain to be convinced. For me he'd have to improve, especially on end product.

Let's hope that Freedman has spotted the goods and as he's so young it could be the case.

 

[Teddy Eagle]

For what it's worth Wikipedia lists his current club as Crystal Palace.

 

[viveasheagle]

Definitely looks like it will happen - missed the Millwall cup win yesterday and comments coming out of the Millwall camp indicate the deal is well advanced.

 

[JHB]

I'm not sure where that puts him.

From what I've seen I must admit I remain to be convinced. For me he'd have to improve, especially on end product.

Let's hope that Freedman has spotted the goods and as he's so young it could be the case.

That could be copied and pasted for our entire squad at the moment though.

 

[sprites]

Where would he play? Current system doesn't really use wingers. Seems fast and tricky...but has he got the nous and vision for one of the 10 roles?

 

[Stirlingsays]

That could be copied and pasted for our entire squad at the moment though.

I hear yea.

 

[Teddy Eagle]

Where would he play? Current system doesn't really use wingers. Seems fast and tricky...but has he got the nous and vision for one of the 10 roles?

Sub out wide to start with an eye to developing him into an Olise-type role?

 

[Stirlingsays]

Where would he play? Current system doesn't really use wingers. Seems fast and tricky...but has he got the nous and vision for one of the 10 roles?

I think you hit on something here, Olise's superstar aspect was his vision. If a player has the pace and can learn the tricks they can be effective but what really sorts the men from the boys is end product. For that you need vision and the calmness/focus to carry it out. That's what you need.

How much can that be learned? My personal view is that in the main you are born with it or you aren't. However, it's like any job, people get better at what they do all day and at 19 he has that refinement to come....but the natural will always be better.

For me, it seems like an admission that Rak-Sakyi isn't long for the club and will be sold. In terms of where Esse could play I think he's obviously ear-marked for a Sarr like fast breaking supporting forward position.

How fast he goes from squad member to the starting line up is something we are all keen to see.

 

[Teddy Eagle]

I think you hit on something here, Olise's superstar aspect was his vision. If a player has the pace and can learn the tricks they can be effective but what really sorts the men from the boys is end product. For that you need vision and the calmness/focus to carry it out. That's what you need.

How much can that be learned? My personal view is that in the main you are born with it or you aren't. However, it's like any job, people get better at what they do all day and at 19 he has that refinement to come....but the natural will always be better.

For me, it seems like an admission that Rak-Sakyi isn't long for the club and will be sold. In terms of where Esse could play I think he's obviously ear-marked for a Sarr like fast breaking supporting forward position.

How fast he goes from squad member to the starting line up is something we are all keen to see.

Therein lies the problem. Players with Olise's skill set are rare and even if we could find another one and convince him to sign we probably couldn't afford him and he wouldn't stay long.
All we can hope is that Esse develops his own style and we can stop hoping for another Olise.

 

[viveasheagle]

I think with Olise his first touch and control was a true gift. This then allows him that split second to look up and assess what is going. He then has that wonderous left foot to pick out a player. He had these attributes when he joined Palace but he always wanted to go on the inside on his left foot initially. At Palace he learnt to get pass players on the right and improved his right footed crossing thus making him very hard to stop.

 

[JHB]

Where would he play? Current system doesn't really use wingers. Seems fast and tricky...but has he got the nous and vision for one of the 10 roles?

As an aside out and out wingers seem to have largely gone from the game at the top level. The days of a centre forward in the box getting on the end of crosses seem done for now. Nearest thing is probably Man City.

 

[Teddy Eagle]

I think with Olise his first touch and control was a true gift. This then allows him that split second to look up and assess what is going. He then has that wonderous left foot to pick out a player. He had these attributes when he joined Palace but he always wanted to go on the inside on his left foot initially. At Palace he learnt to get pass players on the right and improved his right footed crossing thus making him very hard to stop.

That's true. He also had the ability to instantly weigh up his options and was prepared to play a simple ball inside to keep moves going forward without trying to do it himself or hitting Hail Mary crosses into the middle.
But he was a one off and, not for a second comparing them, Man U spent many years looking for the next George Best instead of trying to adapt their game which didn't help them or the players involved.

 

[taylors lovechild]

He's played as a winger on both sides and as a central attacking midfielder for Millwall. One of the things Millwall fans seem to rave about his first touch, plus in the bits I've seen of him he seems to have football intelligence in the way he finds space and where he plays the ball. The hard part for any player joining us who is going play out wide is that Palace are famous for the quality of their wingers so there's immediately a lot of pressure to succeed, but I think this lad looks like he has the confidence to take on that challenge.

 

[Teddy Eagle]

As an aside out and out wingers seem to have largely gone from the game at the top level. The days of a centre forward in the box getting on the end of crosses seem done for now. Nearest thing is probably Man City.

And even if they do it's usually wing- or full backs supplying the crosses. It's a pragmatic approach but still a shame to me because a skilful winger in full flight is a wonderful thing to see and can really open the game.

 

[Palacesince64]

One of the things I like about Glasner is that he likes his players to be able to play 2 or 3 different roles. It doesn’t always work but it gives the squad more flexibility. Sarr can play wide right or as a central striker for example. I can see Esse wide right or as a 10. He might come on for Sarr or Eze. I suspect we’ll see interesting tweaks to the front three during games.

 

[Fanofzhiyi]

I seem to have an opposite view to most posters. I see Esse as an Eze type far from being a winger or an Olise. Esse glides with the ball, has great skill but does not show the wand of a foot like Olise, vision or the speed. He is a different type of player. His will entertain and with our coaches he will develop into an important player. Looking forward to seeing him get some minutes and perhaps a start against Doncaster

 

[French eagle]

IF he signs, I just hope everyone gives him a fair chance because he's only 19 and is being signed because he has potential. If you look at our academy, how many of our 19 year olds are ready for the premier league ? None. So i think it's unrealistic to expect him to suddenly be up to speed and in the team. Lets hope he turns out to be another gem from the championship.

 

[palace chick]

the clever thing about going for Esse and hopefully Diouf is that they are bought as understudies to Eze and Mitchell respectively. You need competition for places without disapppointing the left out player too much - it's why the Mateta or Nketiah choice is such a problem. Two good players fighting for one place makes for a very good player, but as Esse and Diouf are both teenagers they won't expect to usurp established internationals but they will be champing at the bit to show what they can do and make it into the team. Mitchell needs competition and Eze needs a kick up the *rse - so I hope we get both, don't want to tempt fate but all things considered, including agents, the Esse signing is looking like a formality.

I think that’s nail on head 🙂 Presently our bench has over age or inexperienced players on it most of the time. Today’s football is about a squad for the match rather than just 11 players. We need to be able to bring on players that keep the team as strong as the starting 11 selected. I don’t think any match this season has strengthened us when bringing on subs or just kept us to the same strengths? Appreciate tactical changes may help at some times if for instance Clyne replaces Munoz for more defence strength. But in truth Glasner normally just plays them the same way? Hopefully two or more new signings will strengthen our squad as it did last January window and we will therefore be a stronger outfit?

 

[Eagleman13]

Being reported, albeit clickbait, Bournemouth have put a bid in for him, could be interesting.

 

[NMPalace]

One of the things I like about Glasner is that he likes his players to be able to play 2 or 3 different roles. It doesn’t always work but it gives the squad more flexibility. Sarr can play wide right or as a central striker for example. I can see Esse wide right or as a 10. He might come on for Sarr or Eze. I suspect we’ll see interesting tweaks to the front three during games.

Agree don't see him starting much initially but being used as an impact sub or to cover for injuries. Sarr has improved but is very inconsistent (we knew that when we signed him) and Eze gets the occasional injury.

Being able to play on the left and right enables this.

Clearly a step up from Kamada or Eddie being played wide