Köln coach gives verdict on ex-Manchester City youngster Reigan Heskey amid limited Bundesliga opportunities | OneFootball

Since joining 1. FC Köln from Manchester City for a reported €2 million fee in the summer, Reigan Heskey has been limited to just 15 minutes of action in one Bundesliga appearance.

Before linking up with England’s U19s during the international break, the 18-year-old winger was even left out of the squad for two games in a row – and Köln coach René Wagner has now explained why.

“Taking him out of the squad was the hardest decision I have had to make at 1. FC Köln so far,” Wagner said, according to Köln-focused outlet GEISSBLOG, adding:

“The reason why Reigan is still some way off being ready to play for us is down to the demands of the Bundesliga.”

Above all, Heskey still needs to improve athletically, according to Wagner.

The Bundesliga is “a brutally intense, physically demanding league with a strong focus on transitions, where many situations require qualities that Reigan has in his game but can't yet demonstrate consistently enough,” the Köln boss explained.

“He works on that every week, he is incredibly hard-working. That’s why we’re giving him a little more time.”

In terms of his potential, however, Wagner rates the youngster extremely highly.

“Reigan is an exceptional player. He could still be playing U19 football. Of course, he isn’t, because he has a profile and potential that basically has no limit. He can reach the very top,” he said.

“The problem is that the journey from where he is today to that level is incredibly difficult and a long way.”

Heskey went on to play 141 minutes across three games for England’s U19s during the international break, most recently scoring in their 2-1 win over the United States.