‘Gary is right’ – Neil Harris agrees with former boss Rowett that Premier League clubs will be watching Millwall’s Esse

Neil Harris has agreed with former boss Gary Rowett that Premier League clubs will be watching Romain Esse – but says the attacker’s main focus will be on ensuring he is a constant fixture in the Millwall side this season.

Rowett, who handed Esse his Lions debut during his stint as boss at The Den, was a pundit for Sky Sports for Millwall’s game against Luton last Saturday.

He said before the game: “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.”

Esse, 19, recently signed a new long-term extension with the Lions and has started every Championship outing this season – scoring in the 4-3 defeat at Bristol City.

Crystal Palace sporting director Dougie Freedman was at The Den last weekend for Millwall’s 1-0 defeat at home to Luton.

Asked by the South London Press about how Esse will deal with the speculation, Harris 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 aded to his end product this year already. 

“If he carries on doing that, then Romain will certainly grace the Premier League at some stage.”