Why Benjamin Sesko Might Actually Be Worth the Hype (And Why He Might Not)

By Lewis Barnett 1 July, 2025 6 mins read 50 Views

Look, I've watched enough "next Haaland" predictions crash and burn to be skeptical. But this Slovenian kid has something different.

Arsenal are basically throwing money at RB Leipzig right now, haggling over whether Sesko's worth £60m or £70m. My mate who covers the Bundesliga texted me last week: "This one's actually legit." Coming from someone who called Timo Werner "the future of German football" back in 2020, I wasn't exactly convinced.

Then I watched him play.

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The Kid Who Almost Became a Keeper

Here's something that'll make you laugh - Sesko's dad wanted him to be a goalkeeper. His old man Ales probably figured it was safer back there, less running around. Benjamin's response? "Boring." At 14, this kid was banging in 59 goals in 23 matches for some youth team called Krsko. Fifty-nine goals! I couldn't score 59 goals in FIFA if I tried.

By 16, he'd already bounced around four clubs. Red Bull Salzburg snatched him up for £3m while Manchester United were still "considering their options" (classic United, honestly). Two months later, guess who else showed up in Austria? Erling Haaland.

That Thunderbolt Right Foot Though...

I've seen the clips. This guy's right foot is basically a cannon. Remember that goal against Werder Bremen in January? The ball was clocked at nearly 80mph. Eighty! That's not a shot, that's a missile with postal codes.

At 6'5", he's got the frame to back up the power, but here's where it gets interesting - he's not just a battering ram. Sesko drops deep, picks passes, creates for others. Last season he managed five assists alongside his goals, which tells you he's actually watching the game unfold around him.

His shot accuracy sits at 62%, just behind Haaland's numbers. Not bad for someone who loves having a crack from 30 yards out.

But Is He Actually Haaland 2.0?

Short answer: No. And anyone telling you otherwise is selling something.

The numbers don't lie, and they're not pretty when you stack them up. Haaland scored 17 goals in 16 league games at Salzburg. Sesko managed 21 in 55 appearances. That's... well, that's a massive difference.

In the Bundesliga? Haaland bagged 62 goals in 67 games for Dortmund. Sesko's sitting at 27 goals in 64 games for Leipzig. Better than average, sure, but we're not talking about a goal machine here.

What really worries me is the comparison to other Leipzig exports. Remember Timo Werner? He had 44 league goals in 64 games before Chelsea came calling. We all know how that ended up.

The Streaky Problem

This is where things get messy. Sesko can go on absolute tears - seven consecutive games with goals, five-game scoring streaks that make you think you're watching the next big thing. Then he'll disappear for eight games straight, looking lost against Premier League opposition like Liverpool and Villa.

That inconsistency is what's keeping me up at night if I'm an Arsenal fan. They don't need someone who scores wonder goals every few weeks. They need someone who finds the net when it matters, week after week after week.

Why Arsenal Might Be Getting This Right

Here's the thing though - at 22, Sesko's got time to figure it out. Viktor Gyokeres is 27 and probably peaked. Hugo Ekitike might have better numbers, but he's not a natural number 9.

And when Sesko shows up against big teams, he really shows up. Three goals in four games against Bayern Munich? That's not luck, that's bottle. Goals against Juventus, Atletico Madrid, Sporting in the Champions League? The kid doesn't shrink when the lights get bright.

If Arsenal can talk Leipzig down to £60m (and Leipzig's embarrassing season gives them leverage), it might actually be smart business. Not because he's the finished product, but because he could become something special with the right service from Odegaard and Saka.

The Verdict Nobody Asked For

Is Sesko the answer to Arsenal's striker problem? Probably not immediately. Will he score 25+ goals in his first Premier League season? I wouldn't bet my mortgage on it.

But here's what I keep coming back to - this kid has already proven he can adapt. Started as a center-back, nearly became a keeper, ended up as a striker who models his game on Zlatan Ibrahimovic. That kind of versatility and self-awareness doesn't come around often.

Arsenal fans should temper their expectations. You're not getting Haaland. You're getting a talented, inconsistent 22-year-old with a rocket of a right foot and room to grow.

Sometimes that's enough.

Frequently Asked Questions

What role plays a coach in a successful football team?

A coach's key role in a team's football success is the development of training programmes, tactical planning, as well as player management. Coaches are responsible for creating effective training sessions, developing strategic game plans and motivating their players to do their best. Coaches must also make critical decisions about the player's selection and position, while managing dynamics within the group to maintain a focused and positive environment. It is often their leadership that guides teams to overcome obstacles and achieve success.

How do I become a competent football goalkeeper

To become a skilled goalkeeper, you need to focus on agility, reflexes and positioning. A goalkeeper should be proficient in stopping shots, commanding the penalty area with catching and punching skills, and distributing both with hands and feet. Goalkeeping is also a combination of mental resilience, making decisions under pressure, and communicating effectively with the defense. Goalkeeping requires constant practice, feedback from coaches and analysis of performances to identify improvements.

How can my football technique be improved?

To improve your football technique, you must practice consistently and focus on the fundamentals. Regularly performing drills that enhance ball control, accurate passing, and precise shooting are essential. Your technique will be greatly improved by spending time on your weaker leg and working to improve your balance and coordination. Furthermore, analyzing professional footballers' movements, positions, and decisions will provide you with valuable insights.

How important is a football player's diet and nutrition?

Nutrition is an integral component of a football player's performance and recovery. A balanced diet that includes a proper mix of carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals is necessary for energy, muscle repair, and overall health. Dehydration will also affect your performance. Die timing of meals, as well as specific nutrition strategies, can be affected by training and match times. A sports nutritionist is a good resource to help develop individualized diet plans.

What is the rule of offside in football?

The offside rule in football is designed to prevent players from gaining an unfair edge. A player is in an offside position if any part of their head, body, or feet is in the opposing team's half of the pitch, closer to the opponent's goal line than both the ball and the second-to-last opponent (typically the last outfield player) at the moment the ball is played to them. The fact that a player is in an "offside" position does not make it an offense. It only becomes an offense when the player actively gets involved in the play or interferes with the opponent.

Statistics

Defensive units that practice coordinated drills together at least twice a week concede 18% fewer goals in match play.
Goalkeepers who engage in specialized reaction-time training reduce their goals-conceded tally by an average of 25% over a season.
A consistent mental focus regimen, including visualization techniques, can enhance player concentration levels by up to 20% during matches.
Players with a balanced diet containing adequate macronutrients have a 30% lower injury rate than those with less balanced nutritional habits.
Youth players who participate in football education programs have a 35% higher chance of being scouted by professional clubs.

External Links

How To

Learn how to perfect your passing skills in football

It is important to master different passing techniques. Practice each method with both feet to become a versatile player. Passing drills with moving targets and variable ranges will better simulate match conditions. Concentrate on your accuracy and not just the power of your passes. Incorporate passing exercises in every training session. Analyze the passing skills of professional players in order to gain a better understanding of their creativity and timing.

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