Manchester City and England youngster Reigan Heskey says his dad, former Premier League striker Emile, takes an easy-going approach to his development despite netting 110 top-flight goals.
Heskey is currently shining at the Under-17 World Cup and arrived in Qatar in excellent form, having scored twice in five games for Manchester City in Premier League Two.
Before the tournament, Pep Guardiola awarded the 17-year-old with his first senior appearance for Manchester City, replacing Savinho with six minutes remaining in their Carabao Cup fourth-round win over Swansea City.
That show of faith has filled him with confidence on the world stage, where he has registered six goal contributions – the most of any player at the tournament so far – as England reached the last 32 with wins against Haiti and Egypt.
Heskey Has Dazzled So Far at Under-17 World
A left-winger who prefers to cut inside onto his right foot, using his power and trickiness to break down defences, now has his sights set on Saturday’s clash with South Korea.
Heskey is one of five Manchester City players in the squad aiming for World Cup glory and says being surrounded by familiar faces has made it a smooth transition into camp life.
“Yeah, it does feel like a home away from home,” Heskey said. “Having the people here that you already know from the club, growing up with them, it’s made it easier for us.
“It’s good to play different teams and countries that we haven’t played before. Just being able to see different countries as well, and see how they play.
“I watched a few of the Under-21 games in the summer. Seeing how they performed, winning the Euros, it was good for us. It’s given us motivation.
“We want to win it, but we want to take it game by game and see how far we can get. We’ve got a good team and good players. Hopefully, some of us can make it to the seniors.”
Father Emile Takes Relaxed Approach To Guidance
Few young attackers have the chance to learn from a father with goalscoring pedigree at the top level. While Heskey turns to his dad for guidance, the former Liverpool striker, who earned 62 caps for England, prefers to leave the tuition to the coaches.
“It’s good to have him around. If I ever need some advice or help with my game, I can just go to him because he’s been there. He’s not harsh, not at all. He just lets me be my own player. He doesn’t try to coach me to be like him.”
Heskey also draws inspiration from his brother Jaden, a midfielder in the Manchester City academy. The pair made their senior debuts side-by-side away at Swansea in October, and Reigan is manifesting a future where they become first-team regulars together.
“Playing with my brother in the back garden, we used to play a lot. So we didn’t have to get used to each other as he already knew each other’s play style in a way.
“Having him next to me has helped. The goal is both to start for City. We sometimes speak about it. The family as well. I’ve always dreamed of both of us playing on the same team.”
Heskey Names Phil Foden and Raheem Sterling as Models
Heskey joined Manchester City as an eight-year-old in 2016, the same year Guardiola took over the senior team. Climbing through the academy ranks, he has only known a City side that dominates and sets the standards.
City’s success has given the latest cohort of academy stars ideal role models, with Heskey naturally looking up to Raheem Sterling and local lad Phil Foden, who won this tournament in 2017.
“I grew up watching Phil Foden and Raheem Sterling, both wingers. I try to model my game around them, with the 1v1s and the playmaking. In some ways, I am similar, but not that close.
“I’m quite a different profile. I’m quite tall and they’re both a bit shorter than me, nimbler. I enjoy playing off the left. I used to play across the front three in the younger age groups. But the left is where I find myself most comfortable. I can improve everything – even the cutting in on my right foot, which I’m quite good at.”
England face South Korea at 12:30 pm BST on Saturday for a spot in the last 16 of the Under-17 World Cup.
