Manchester City prospect Jaden Heskey is enjoying the rough and tumble of life at Sheffield Wednesday, according to his father Emile.
However, the Heskey brothers face stern competition for minutes in Pep Guardiola’s star-studded squad.
A loan move to crisis club Wednesday for Jaden was sanctioned in January and he has become a regular in Henrik Pedersen’s struggling side.
Wednesday have had relegation to League One confirmed and Heskey has experienced plenty of bruising defeats - but his father believes the experience will benefit him.
Jaden Heskey has made 12 appearances since his loan move from Manchester City to Sheffield Wednesday.placeholder image
Jaden Heskey has made 12 appearances since his loan move from Manchester City to Sheffield Wednesday. | Steve Ellis
Jaden Heskey enjoying rough and tumble
Heskey senior, who represented the likes of Liverpool and Aston Villa in his playing days, told GOAL: “When you're training with the first team etc, you're getting a really great understanding. But training with them as opposed to going out to Sheffield Wednesday and getting battered, it's a little bit different, but he's (Jaden) enjoying that.
“He's loving that side of the battle because emotionally it just sends you on a rollercoaster as well but you've still got to be up for the next game.
“You've got another game in three days time so you've got to be up for that battle all the time. Different types of football, not having the best players all the time. This is all part and parcel of football.”
Jaden Heskey stepping up to senior level
There are many players who thrive at academy level only to find the bridge to senior football difficult to cross.
Heskey does not turn 21 until December but has already been thrown in at the deep end in the Championship.
He has been unable to perform miracles in South Yorkshire, although his potential has been clear to see.
His father said: “I think within football you need to have senior experience. Because the reality is you could be the best at 16, 17, 18 until you go and get that experience.
Jaden Heskey is yet to experience a win as a Sheffield Wednesday player.placeholder image
Jaden Heskey is yet to experience a win as a Sheffield Wednesday player. | Nick Potts/PA Wire
“You play against a grown man who has experience, who probably isn't your level but the mental side and the understanding of things positional-wise can better you.
“You need to figure all that out and then you're figuring out things during the game. So all players I would say at a young age need to get that experience. You look at the young lad down in London, [Max] Dowman, at 15, 16 what he's doing. It's all well and good doing it at 15, 16 against 18-year-olds but when you go into the first team if you can't do it there and it doesn't transcend into that, it really doesn't matter.
“So yes, at some stage and that's why with Jaden we had to take a jump of getting first-team football as opposed to being captain of the 21s and winning the 21s trophies and all the accolades that come with that. That's great but you need to play first-team football because long-term, that's what matters.”