Mauricio Pochettino has been discussing Moussa Sissoko’s move to Tottenham.
Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino
Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino has told the Daily Express that new signing Moussa Sissoko could play for the club against Stoke City this weekend.
Sissoko, 27, completed a big-money move from Newcastle United to White Hart Lane in the final moments of last week’s transfer deadline, and has been away on international duty with France since the deal went through.
Moussa Sissoko looks dejected after missing a chance to score
After playing against Belarus earlier this week, Sissoko is now hoping to make his Tottenham debut against Stoke this weekend, with report suggesting he could start.
The London Evening Standard report that, with Erik Lamela arriving back late from international duty with Argentina, Tottenham could rest him and start Sissoko instead.
Ahead of the game, Pochettino – who guided his side to a 4-0 win in the same fixture last season – has been speaking to The Express about Sissoko, and whether he could feature against Stoke.
Moussa Sissoko celebrates scoring the second goal for Newcastle United
Pochettino admitted that Sissoko has returned from international duty in ‘good condition’, and he will make a decision on whether to use him on Friday.
Pochettino discussed the deal in more depth, stating that he thinks Sissoko will bring experience, pace and power, and ultimately wanted to add competition for places as Spurs prepare for the Champions League campaign.
Finally, he added that he was ‘relaxed’ on deadline day, and wasn’t even in the country as Tottenham signed Sissoko, Pau Lopez and Georges-Kevin Nkoudou – and is now happy with his squad.
Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino
“Sissoko is maybe in the squad,” Pochettino said. “He arrived with us for the first time yesterday and he was in a good condition, but I will decide tomorrow.”
“Sissoko is a player who can help us a lot. You know how he is because last season he was in Newcastle and in the Euros he was fantastic. He is a player who can bring experience, he is fast and strong and when you play a lot of games you need a lot of competition to maintain your levels.”
“I was relaxed as the window was closing – I was in Spain! I wasn’t worried about that. I was happy before and then after we added three players in the last three days we have a squad that can compete in the different competitions. We have a difficult season but I am happy with my squad,” he added.
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