Millwall winger Romain Esse has joined Sheffield United and West Brom stars in the Championship Team of the Week following his exploits against QPR on Saturday.
The two second tier London clubs played out a 1-1 draw at Loftus Road in a result which Lions head coach Neil Harris described as ‘glass half-full’ thanks to his team’s dominance for large parts of that meeting.
Duncan Watmore opened the scoring for the visitors after just 34 minutes with a goal that had been coming for Millwall. QPR equalised just six minutes later through the in-form Michael Frey and Marti Cifuentes’ side clung on to the point as pressure grew late in the second half.
Esse has turned heads so far this season and, despite not scoring or assisting against QPR, caused plenty of problems for the opposition with another impressive performance. Rated 7.4 by WhoScored, the showing earned the 19-year-old a place in the Championship Team of the Week.
The Championship player who racked up the highest rating over the latest round of fixtures is Norwich City forward Callum Doyle. The 20-year-old Manchester City loanee grabbed a goal and assist as the Canaries beat Watford 4-1 and was hailed for his work off the ball too.
It’s the latest accolade for Esse, who has been linked with a Premier League move in recent weeks. Former Millwall boss Gary Rowett was one to suggest such a transfer when working as a pundit on Sky Sports recently.
He said: “Premier League clubs will be looking at him very, very closely. He has got so much ability. Honestly, when he first came into the team a couple of years ago, he was one of those kids you look at and you think: ‘Wow’.
“I don’t think he’s put that into consistent performances on the pitch just yet, but if he does, he’s a superstar in the making. He has got absolutely everything.”
Millwall boss Neil Harris was asked for his opinion on that big statement by the South London Press and admitted that the club could have a future superstar on their hands. He said: “I don’t worry about Romain’s mentality – he’s a brilliant young man.
“He has been schooled well here and has had a good upbringing at home. Romain just loves playing football. He wants to be on the pitch and he loves winning as well, which is important for us.
“Gary is right – there will be a lot of interest. He’s a 19-year-old who is playing in the Championship. Romain’s focus, and he’s been told in no uncertain terms, has to be to stay in the team.
“That’s his priority focus – everything else in football will come after that. If you’re not playing regularly from the start in the Championship, then you’re never going to move up the levels. Romain has huge potential. He’s a really grounded boy with great ability. He has added to his end product this year already. If he carries on doing that, then Romain will certainly grace the Premier League at some stage.”
