After an impressive last season, where Spurs finished 3rd on the table, expectations will again be sky high this season. However, it’s not been an easy start for Pochettino and his men, who have drawn two and won once in the first three matches of the season. The summer proved to be a bit of struggle for the Argentine, as the supporters put pressure on the club to buy a few more players after deals for Vincent Janssen and Wanyama were complete. With players like Kane, Alli and Eriksen struggling to get any sort of rhythm going, Spurs look slow, predictable and very easy to defend against.
Tottenham have some of the Premier League’s best creative talent in their team but other than Dele Alli, there is no one really who has pace who can burst into a run dodging defenders like Mane did against Spurs last weekend. That is why the deadline day purchase of Moussa Sissoko from Newcastle United for £30 million makes sense. The Frenchman was brilliant for his national team at the recently concluded European Championship, where France went all the way to the final. Sissoko has struggled at Newcastle since joining them in 2013. His return of 11 goals in 118 appearances didn’t win him much love amongst the Newcastle supporters.
However, it’s unclear where Sissoko will fit in, given that two of Dier, Wanyama or Dembele will usually make up the central midfield and the first choice trio of Alli, Eriksen and Lamela look pretty settled. But with such a hefty investment, it is unlikely that Sissoko will be left on the bench and on current form, one would say that Erikson might have to drop down to the bench. Sissoko could play in the number 10 role but he will be preferred on the left side, with Alli as the central playmaker.
There are worries regarding his consistency and application but with a better coach and team now, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Sissoko reproducing the form from Euro 2016. Pochettino could also develop Sissoko into a central midfielder as an alternative to Dembele, leaving Wanyama and Dier fighting for the more defensive role. If the former Newcastle player can settle in quickly at White Hart Lane, then he will give this Spurs pace and power on the right side, something most opponents will be wary of when squeezing up front. However, it is important that Pochettino gets him settled into one kind of role, otherwise, it could be a while before we the best of Sissoko.
