Millwall boss understands ‘thirst and desire’ for Romaine Esse to start Championship matches

Gary Rowett has explained why Romaine Esse has not been starting recent matches for Millwall.

The winger, 17, came on as a 70th minute sub for Oli Burke in Saturday’s 2-0 win over Preston North End.

England U18 international Esse signed a long-term professional deal with the Lions earlier in the season.

He has played 136 minutes of Championship football – excluding stoppage time involvement – in his 10 appearances since debuting at Watford on Boxing Day.

“If it wasn’t for Burkey’s form and not wanting to play him on the other side, I probably would’ve started Rom today,” said Rowett at the weekend. “I was very close to starting him. But if you look at the game, against a team playing wing-backs and that were on the front foot, physical and got running power – I also thought late on it highlighted some of the things he has got to learn.

“He’s got lovely quality when he gets into the final third but also you have got to do that other side. There were a couple of times where people ran off Rom and that’s something he needs to improve on to give him that trust to start more games.

“But he’s a talented boy. He’s only 17 and he’s going to make mistakes. He’s going to do those things. He will get more and more game time. Tell me another 17-year-old playing regular minutes in the Championship? I don’t think there are too many out there.

“Yes, there is a thirst and a desire to get him in the starting team – probably externally as well – and that’s fine. But you’ve also got to think there are so many big games coming up that it’s not as easy as just going in and do what you do in 30 minutes, where you’ve got a little bit more freedom and space.

“He’s a good player, he’s a top player – he showed that with England. He’s going to be a massive player for us moving forward.”

PICTURE: KEITH GILLARD