The dynamic Frenchman is finally beginning to silence the doubters after an improved run of form.
It may be too soon to proclaim the arrival of the Euro 2016 final edition of Moussa Sissoko to White Hart Lane but he’s getting there. Game by game, the £30 million Frenchman (BBC) appears to be finding his feet under the meticulous tactical plans of Mauricio Pochettino.
Yes, he still lumbers out of play with the ball cannoning of his shins but, on occasion, he even beats a man, even produces a cross. And, twice in the last three weeks, he’s set up a goal.
Coming off the bench with 27 minutes remaining against Sean Dyche’s typically belligerent Burnley on Sunday, it’s no exaggeration to say Moussa Sissoko changed the game. Driving and powering past defenders with ease, assisting Danny Rose’s late winner, one of the most maligned, divisive figures in English football is finally starting to look worthy of the price tag.
According to Opta, Sissoko is now the only player in the Premier League this season to have set up two goals after coming off the bench, 14 days after enabling Christian Eriksen to notch a fifth passed a beleaguered Swansea City.
After all, weary opponents in a game’s dying stages is an ideal scenario for a player of Sissoko’s fearsome athleticism.
Overall, the former Newcastle United fans favourite/chief aggravator has now produced as many assists this season as Paul Pogba and Mesut Ozil, and one more than Eden Hazard.
The cynics will no doubt use the whole ‘£15 million an assist’ spiel but, at the very least, Sissoko is no longer giving his manager excuses to exclude him from the side. He’s far from indispensable to Pochettino but, at last, he’s becoming rather useful.
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