The Frenchman is impressing for Tottenham Hotspur after a shaky debut campaign.
Most Tottenham Hotspur fans had long given up on Moussa Sissoko coming good, with the French international expected to leave North London over the summer after a disappointing debut campaign at White Hart Lane.
However, the 28-year-old remained where he was and, on early evidence, he is ready to prove his worth to Tottenham and their supporters.
So far this season Sissoko has been like a new signing and, while it would be foolish to get carried away with his early outings, there is no doubt he has improved considerably, no longer the terrible performer Tottenham inexplicably bought for Newcastle United for a sizable fee.
Sissoko has featured 10 times for Tottenham this season, in an array of positions, and he followed up his assist against Borussia Dortmund last month with a late goal against Huddersfield Town prior to the international break.
But could there be a very simply reason for Sissoko’s upturn in form, that has more to do with his country than his club? After all, another World Cup is fast approaching and the Tottenham man will have no desire to be left in the cold when France name their squad for the summer tournament.
The only way Sissoko can guarantee his inclusion is to prove his worth at a club that seemed to have moved on without him, and he is certainly doing his best in that regard.
Every player wants to represent their country at a major competition, and most will perform accordingly as the next one approaches. But few transformations are as swift as Sissoko’s, from pariah to much-vaunted utility man.
Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino will not be complaining, but the player needs to perform week in, week out, year after year, and not just when it suits his ow agenda.
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