Moussa Sissoko left Newcastle United for Tottenham Hotspur in the summer of 2016.
Sissoko was on the books of Newcastle from 2013 until 2016 before joining Tottenham for a transfer fee reported by The Chronicle to be worth £30 million following the Magpies’ relegation from the Premier League to the Championship..
The France international midfielder worked with Benitez at Newcastle, and the former Liverpool and Chelsea boss has spoken highly of the 29-year-old.
Benitez told The Chronicle regarding Sissoko and Georginio Wijnaldum: “Sometimes players do not get offers when they are relegated. They did and I am telling you Sissoko had three very good ones, including one very important one. That is good for them because you go down and have top sides interested in you.
“Maybe they were not fine here because the team was not doing well. But they have the skill and the pace. You cannot complain or say anything negative about what they did here.”
Benitez added: ”Sissoko had some problems at the beginning [at Spurs] but he’s a good pro and he’s continued to grow.
“With Sissoko’s characteristics, you can see he is very powerful, has the pace and brings a lot. In this Tottenham team, with all these players around him, he is now a key player for them.”
Important player
Sissoko has established himself as an important player for Tottenham and has been crucial in the North London outfit reaching the final of the Champions League this season.
The Frenchman was also very good for Spurs in the Premier League, as the North London outfit finished in the top four yet again.
It has not always been easy for Sissoko at Tottenham, but the midfielder has grown and progressed in recent months.
One should not be surprised if Sissoko starts the Champions League final for Tottenham against Liverpool in Madrid on Saturday evening, and perhaps even score the winning goal.
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