Spurs summer signing Moussa Sissoko has come in for a plot of criticism since his £30million move from Newcastle United in the summer. As of the most expensive acquisitions for Tottenham, Sissoko was expected to deliver the goods straight away. However, he was so poor in the first few months at White Hart Lane that manager Mauricio Pochettino even dropped him from some of the bigger matches like in the Champions League. This action from the manager seems to have provided the player with a much-needed wake-up call.
Sissoko has been a player transformed in the last few games, and there is a real hope within Tottenham that the 27-year-old could play a key role in the club’s top four ambitions this season. However, the Everton manager Ronald Koeman is looking to take advantage of any unhappiness or regrets within Spurs about the deal for Sissoko. They are reportedly willing to provide a way out of the situation by proposing a swap deal involving Ross Barkley and Sissoko (via Daily Mirror).
Regarded as one of the finest English talent to come from the Everton youth academy, Barkley has found it difficult to transfer his potential into performances on the pitch. He has failed to win over the faith of manager Koeman and the club are ready to ship out on the 23-year-old despite the best years of the player remaining ahead of him. Everton’s decision to sell Jack Rodwell to Manchester City for £15 million proved to be the right decision, as the 25-year-old never really managed to make the grade from being a highly talented youngster into a player of great quality.
There is a tremendous amount of difference between potential and quality on the pitch, and Rodwell remains as one of the best examples of failed potential. Everton will have reasons to think that Barkley is also heading down the same road, but Spurs have had some incredible success when it comes to developing English players. Dele Alli is one of the finest examples, as the former MK Dons player has gone from a relative unknown in the League One into a player of incredible quality.
Since both players are valued at around £30 million, Everton are ready to come in with a proposal for this swap deal. Everton would be getting an experienced professional who has been in the Premier league for a number of years. In return, Tottenham would be getting a hugely talented youngster who could be transformed into an excellent midfielder to complement Dele Alli and Harry Kane. A box to box midfielder, Barkley also has the quality to provide assists and score goals.
