First newspaper interview with Millwall’s Romain Esse – as he talks about his progression with Lions, England call-up and first-team learning curve

BY RICHARD CAWLEY
richard@slpmedia.co.uk

There haven’t been too many feel-good moments at the start of Millwall’s 2023-24 campaign, but Romain Esse provided one at the Riverside Stadium earlier this month.

The 18-year-old prospect was beaming from ear to ear after his goal – the first of his senior career – secured a 1-0 victory over Middlesbrough.

“He’s one of our own” was the chant from the travelling support at full time, who cheered every time Esse whipped his arms into the air.
The England U18 was quick to also point to Aidomo Emakhu, whose surge down the left – riding a sliding tackle in style – created the shooting opportunity.

“It was surreal,” Esse told the South London Press. “Because even from last season I was thinking ‘when am I going to get my first goal?’ There were very near moments where I could’ve scored.

“Middlesbrough are a big team and it is a big stadium. Us getting the first goal of the season and my first senior goal was great.

“As the ball was pulled back I just felt the moment was going to happen. After I hit it I was looking at where the ball was going and I couldn’t believe it – I hit it so perfectly. I hadn’t scored for a long time. I won’t forget that.”

Esse was born in Lewisham Hospital and raised in Peckham and Bermondsey. He attended St Thomas the Apostle School in Nunhead and trialled with Chelsea before signing for Millwall.

“I joined when I was eight or nine,” said Esse, who also played Sunday football for Athenlay.

“Chelsea were liking my progress but I came to Millwall because I was living in South-East London. The stadium was nearby, it was ideal for me and my family.”

Esse played in the same district team as Karoy Anderson and Nathan Asiimwe, both catching the eye in Charlton’s Athletic’s first-team this season.

“Whenever we played in the same team the opposition couldn’t get near us,” he said. “We’ve had a strong bond. I was speaking to them after the Charlton game.

“They are good players. Ones to keep an eye on in League One and I’m tracking their progress too.”

Esse is also attracting interest.

His debut came while he was still 17 – his birthday is in May – when he came off the bench late on in the 2-0 win at Watford on Boxing Day.

Esse went on to make 13 appearances for the Lions last season, all of them as a substitute.

“I was a bit nervous at the start but the more I was coming on, the more I was expressing myself,” he said. “I wanted to carry on the form this season, making sure I started pre-season well and gave myself every chance to be in and around the team.

“Academy football is a lot different to men’s football. It’s a lot more physically demanding. I’ve had to adapt my game – fewer touches or only in the right areas. The way I like to play is with freedom and expressing myself, but I’ve had to learn what areas to use that on the pitch.

“The senior boys helping me in training as well. In my position Dunc (Watmore) has been great and so has Zi (Zian Flemming), we basically play in the same position – so they understand what is required.

“Sometimes I’ll ask them for advice and they’ll always have the right answers. The same with the members of staff – Ads (Adam Barrett) or Robbo (Paul Robinson). They’ll tell me what I can do better.”

The perils of academy football are that bigger clubs come hunting the talent. Millwall have endured that with Zak Lovelace rejecting a professional deal to sign for Rangers. Manchester City also picked up Samuel Edozie and Darko Gyabi, now at Southampton and Leeds respectively.

But Esse signed what the Lions described as a “long-term” contract in January.

“I’ve grown up in the area and all I’ve known is the club,” he said. “Working hard was all I thought about after signing the pro contract – the rest will just come.”

Esse’s progress has led to England U18 honours. His father Jonas received the email from the FA when he was selected in March, making his debut in a 2-1 win over Croatia in Medulin.

“I was in training and I had no clue,” said Esse, who also qualifies to represent Ivory Coast. “I saw my phone had lots of calls from my dad. He told me and I went home quickly and said: ‘We need to sign everything because I want to make sure of going’. It was a good experience.”

“When I went with England I knew I should express myself – the same as I have here. Nothing changes just because there are other boys playing for the biggest teams in the country, I should be myself. You have to block out the outside noise and keep performing.”

Esse scored for the young Three Lions against Australia in a summer tournament in Lisbon.

So who were the players he looked up to as a kid?

“There are a lot I idolise – like Lionel Messi and Ronaldinho,” said Esse. “There are even modern day players like Bernardo Silva and Riyad Mahrez, ones who have my playing style and that I want to hit the heights they did in their careers too.”

Esse’s first Championship start for Millwall came in Sunday’s 3-1 defeat to Norwich. He played on the right of midfield as manager Gary Rowett switched to a back four at Carrow Road.

Asked if he had a favoured role he would like to lock down longer term, he said: “Just anywhere in attack or midfield. As long as I can create or score, that’s me. I play with a smile on my face. If I assist my team-mates or score then I know I’m doing my job.”

PICTURES: BRIAN TONKS AND PA