Nobody appreciates Mauricio Pochettino's man-management skills more than Moussa Sissoko who has turned his career around at Tottenham thanks to the sought-after Argentine.
Sissoko, 29, is enjoying his status as a Spurs fans' cult hero having helped the club beat Arsenal in the Carabao Cup last week and travelling to Everton on Sunday on the coat-tails of Liverpool and Manchester City in the Premier League title race.
But it hasn't always been like that for the French international who played in the final of Euro 2016. A £30million move from Newcastle later that summer started off disastrously when he was sent off against Bournemouth in October and started only four more league games that season.
With Spurs fans sniping and the player's confidence draining away, Poch stepped in. 'He said to me a few times I'm here because I have the potential to be here,' reveals Sissoko. 'He told me if he signed me it was because I can be a success here, so keep working and never give up.
'I didn't regard the criticism I was getting (from fans and media) as unfair. Football is like that. I wasn't upset by it, I was more upset because I believed I could do better as a player.
'Even though it was difficult, the manager was behind me and helped a lot. He treats everyone in the squad the same, as if you will play the next game.
'He will tell you if you play well, he will tell you if need to improve on something, but in a way that you always feel you have a chance.
'In life, you should never go with your head down. Keep fighting and things will change. And that's what has happened to me.'
The Sissoko revival began in earnest when he shone against Real Madrid last season and fans started a new chant: 'Wake me up before you go-go, who needs Bale when you've got Sissoko.'
On a good day, his long stride and ability to carry the ball up the pitch is reminiscent of Patrick Vieira.
This season, he's switched from the wing to a central midfield position and excelled. 'My strength is my power. I use it a lot,' he admits candidly.
'I'm a player who can do box-to-box, who can defend and go with the ball and at the same time go forward behind the defenders. I need to keep going that way, keep working and even trying to do more.'
A trip to Goodison Park will bring back memories of 2016 when he sat in the chairman's office at Spurs bemused that the television ticker was linking with him Everton. Ronald Koeman had made an approach earlier in the window but nothing had come of it.
Sissoko first played on Merseyside shortly after his 18th birthday when he was part of a Toulouse team beaten 4-0 by Liverpool at Anfield in a Champions League qualifier.
He doesn't blame Didier Deschamps for not naming him in the French squad that won the World Cup and stayed in touch with his pal Blaise Matuidi through the tournament.
'I can't pretend and say it wasn't painful to miss out, but it's extra motivation for this season,' he says.
Manchester United's desire to lure Pochettino away from Spurs this summer will be a major talking point for the rest of the season. But stay or go, the Argentine has left one heck of a legacy, and that includes Sissoko.
numdlpr
0
Sissoko's football is that drunken style of kung fu. Everything he does seems so clumsy but damn is it effective and class
nice, but you confuse clumsiness for self doubt, what you see is a guy not sure of his mojo, nor the fact that he is unaware of the fear that he strikes in opponents. drunken master indeed. he is rare a player that you can play anywhere in the outfield in an emergency. such a man could sire a nation 🤣🤣😂😂😂
numdlpr
1
and to think that he wanted to go to Arsenal yet he ends up at Spurs[Sadtolook] it was the best choice in the end, Arsenal still lacks physically and size, it will be a long term problem while Spurs goes from strength to strength. Sissoko is a self less player these guys are like gold, willing to work hard be a threat, control the things that the coach wants controled, and playmakes and defers to the stars of the team. congrats to him, he will be one of Spurs keys to success.
Yesbimpr
0
he is not bad
Luiscarte
0
Being carried in that team woeful player !
hossttry
1
We are all so pleased here how well and improved Sissoko's performances are this Season so a massive well done to the lad. But his rare shooting for goal still remains awful and only basic hard practise, practise, practise will improve his confidence in this vital department. When he can improve this vital skill and score a few goals he will truly become a very valuable asset.
likeermen
0
Still daft DM journo has to mention Poch and man u, absurd amount of utd articles, May be the biggest supported club, don't have more fans than the rest put together.
Jasonwarden
0
Sissoko turn around started THIS season.
solidworks
0
Poch isn't going anywhere..yawn
pokerin
1
I can¿t remember a career come back from the dead like this one. Well played Sissoko and Poch.
Copeklnyz
2
ya will never win yo next 10 games. yh I want ya to be fed up with spurs n join the red devils 😋😋
inevitable
1
Yes, but one person can be an anarchist. I understand a lot about anarcho-syndicalism, especially the CNT in Spain. I just don't understand how Sissoko is an anarchist Yeah, but of all the varieties of anarchism, anarcho-syndicalism is among the least individualistic.
Susanlus
1
Anarcho-syndicalism is, by its very nature, not something one person can do. Yes, but one person can be an anarchist. I understand a lot about anarcho-syndicalism, especially the CNT in Spain. I just don't understand how Sissoko is an anarchist Yeah, but of all the varieties of anarchism, anarcho-syndicalism is among the least individualistic.
nanik
1
Sissoko's comedic weaknesses are definitely coachable out of him, at least partially. Its as it says - he looks terrified with the ball at his feet. When he was young, despite his talent, he clearly wasnt taught how to move the ball forward properly. How to drive forward, weigh up various decisions and execute confidently. He can do all the football things, but managers are having to slowly build his football brain.
Ascis
1
No it isn’t. He’s saying Sissoko is an example of a player who believes in direct action with the need for a supporting system, who plays as if he has extra legs, in a style that’s hard to understand and that meant Chelsea were unable to deal with him and played chaotically.
neutron
0
Godamn not even Messi has been called a anarcho-syndicalist, many limbed enigma , sissoko clearly the best spurs player in Thier history
Runningman
0
There's only one scoreboard in the stadium and it's at the top of the Leazes End, which is behind Sissoko in the clip.
hossttry
0
Does St James’ give the live TV feed in the scoreboards during the match? That’s the only explanation I can come up eith? There's only one scoreboard in the stadium and it's at the top of the Leazes End, which is behind Sissoko in the clip.
Lingaluards
0
Ronaldo was tested doing corners in a special lab test indoors. They found he could accurately guess where the ball was going to be if the lights were switched off a split second after the corner was taken. Just like Sissoko looking as the ball is kicked and then turning around Mobile so can't timestamp easily, but starts about 6:45 https://youtu.be/FmGybMlOLTY The shoulder finish when it gets pitch black immediately after he kicks it...just wtf man. Like how good is this guy's instinct This is the kind of shit that makes me believe he doesn't dope. No amount of steroids makes this stuff possible. Dude is just a freak of nature and has incredible discipline. Yeah this sort of anticipation allows him to get to the cross just that split second before his marker. Honestly that video is just ridiculous. That second one on the half volley is actually dumb. wait I thought the guy above was memeing, holy shit lol
Weigens
0
Imagine being Ivanović, moving in to try and head the ball but all you see is Sissoko death staring into your eyes. You try to move in closer but he copies you, all while maintaining eye contact. lmao
Oxforder
1
Sissoko's football is that drunken style of kung fu. Everything he does seems so clumsy but damn is it effective and class
Postmanman
0
So he was looking at the scoreboard behind him via the eyes at the back of his head, simple. He was watching the ball on the scoreboard screen via the reflection in Ivanovic's eyes. Easy peasy.
hondekmouz
0
Man management, - Poch and mou, comparing mountain with '' mouhill''
poacimnsy
1
good move keep it up
tesacdetz
1
MU??? Enough already. Joke getting stale