It’s a shock to many of us that in 2021, Moussa Sissoko is still not just playing regularly for Tottenham, but also for the France National Team as well.
But despite his less than impressive performances this season, Sissoko continues to be a key part of France manager Didier Deschamps plans and is still earning praise.
Speaking to the press during the international break, Deschamps highlighted the former Newcastle midfielder’s influence on the squad and his worth ethic after he replaced Spurs teammate Tanguy Ndombele during France’s 2-0 win away to Kazakhstan.
“He gives, he gives, he is greatly appreciated by his teammates and feared by his opponents,” said Deschamps.
L’Equipe labelled him the ‘big brother’ of the team, particularly to the younger players of the squad, and it’s just a bonus that Ndombele gets to learn from him at club and international level.
No goals in two years, now two goals in three games 😱
Mourinho is getting the most out of Sissoko 💥pic.twitter.com/zeChqnzAUL
— GOAL (@goal) December 9, 2019
Sissoko, 31, has made 38 appearances in all competitions so far this season, scoring once in the League Cup Semi-Final win against Brentford where he opened the scoring with a fantastic header.
He has scored just five goals in all competitions during his Spurs career, seven less than he managed while at Newcastle, but he has added much needed pace and strength to the midfield at times.
When his confidence is high, Sissoko can still be a brilliant player for Spurs, but unfortunately these days, we don’t see that too often and his technique lets him down more than it ever used to, so it’s likely that the 66 time international will be moved on this summer or at least attempted to be.
https://twitter.com/Lanigara/status/1376833164782489600?s=20
You will see how highly rated he is in the summer when we try to sell him and you can judge by the quality of clubs who are interested in him!
— Graham (@1stClassPunter) March 30, 2021
After joining the club for a fee of £30 million back in 2016, it’s a certainty that a loss will be made on the midfielder should he be sold unless a crazy bid comes in, but his £80k a week wages could be better spent elsewhere on a younger talent.
The club have been heavily linked with Marcel Sabitzer, who would slot in nicely in the centre of midfield next to Tanguy Ndombele, and with Oliver Skipp impressing on-loan at Norwich and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg having an exceptional first season at the club, chances next year will be limited for Sissoko, even despite the praise from Deschamps.