Tottenham Hotspur’s decision to sign Moussa Sissoko in 2016 has been consistently labelled as a dreadful piece of business throughout his time in north London, but popular opinion has shifted dramatically following a string of fine performances from the Frenchman.
It’s a scenario which Tottenham fans could never have dreamed of at the start of the season: labelling Sissoko as a quality player in the aftermath of a Champions League encounter.
Mauricio Pochettino has continued to trust in him when faith has eluded the Tottenham supporters, and who can blame them?
But Sissoko has slowly started to silence his doubters this season, little by little, and his soaring reputation culminated last night in Tottenham’s vital 1-0 victory over Inter Milan.
Sissoko picked up from where he left off against Chelsea last weekend, breaking up play in midfield before powering forward with his direct style of dribbling, and it was a typically penetrative burst through the heart of Inter Milan’s defence which created the opportunity for Eriksen to crash home Tottenham’s winner.
Dele Alli will claim the assist but the great Dane’s strike was all about Sissoko, even if the statistics will not credit him for a fine piece of individual play.
In the aftermath of proceedings, the Tottenham supporters took to Twitter to hail Pochettino for the role he has played in Sissoko’s turnaround and, of course, to the player himself for battling through a dark spell, and emerging on the other side as an altogether different player from the one which has struggled in recent years.
Here’s what the fans had to say about the extent of Sissoko’s transformation last night and Pochettino’s influence…
Poch told us about Sissoko & we laughed at him for two full seasons. He really is magic.
— Anas Ahmed (@AnasFTL) November 28, 2018
To turn a player from a dithering mess into an unplayable force is something else! . Poch has worked an absolute miracle with sissoko.
— Daz (@Daz_1105) November 28, 2018
Sissoko! made that goal! Evidence that Poch can turn water into wine #thfc #coys
— Jimmy Griffiths (@jamesrhysgriff) November 28, 2018
Sissoko is playing unreal. I think it’s just taken a good while for Poch to understand his strengths and how to use it in the XI. Still credit goes to moussa tho
— Cidolfus Telamon (@Uchannel92) November 28, 2018
Credit to Poch for playing Sissoko as a box to box CM. Great management
— Bravelzinho 🕊❤️🩹🇨🇻🇵🇹🇨🇩 (@soaresduarte20) November 28, 2018
https://twitter.com/dpatrikarakos/status/1067898979898220544
Game after game, Poch stayed loyal to Sissoko & he was slaughtered for it. Poch doesn’t make many mistakes. Sissoko is immense now and that’s a product of all the belief Poch & his back room staff has shown in him. Another great performance tonight. #InPochWeTrust #COYS #THFC
— CleveTHFC (@CleveTHFC) November 28, 2018
https://twitter.com/____Sputnik/status/1067895294182883329
https://twitter.com/Gbar428/status/1067906319850582016
