The quotes from the player’s advisor came from the French press, claiming that Sissoko is in conflict with Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino and is unhappy at the club.
Following his transfer deadline day move to Tottenham last summer, just hours before the window closed, Sissoko has struggled to make the impact he would have wished to make in North London. He came with a hefty £30m (Split over 5 seasons) price tag from Newcastle United and has so far failed to live up to expectations.
The midfielder currently plays more for the French national team than Spurs, oddly. In fact, interest in Sissoko soared after an impressive Euro 2016 campaign, in which he was a colossus in France’s home tournament.
Sissoko may be on the move this summer. If he does move on he could stay in England or move back home to France, where many clubs will undoubtedly be interested.
The player’s advisor, Badr Slassi, has been quoted in French newspaper L’Equipe (h/t Football.London) as saying:
“The Euro blew it up and his transfer was difficult because he was late, he arrived in Tottenham when the preparation was over and the Championship had started [three days before].
“He quickly found himself in a position where he did not play, which he is not used to. It was not a problem of [choice of] club, it just got tired.”
He added: “He is not in emotional conflict with his coaches, anyway, only in the professional way.
“Never will you hear him complain. But he is a force of nature, and it makes him feel like s***, to say the words, not to be able to express himself: he loves the club, the supporters, the infrastructure. he therefore experienced this as a frustration in Tottenham.”
The Daily Mail had reported in May, that Sissoko wanted to leave Tottenham. He made just 8 starts in Spurs’ Premier League campaign. France manager Didier Deschamps, has issued a warning to the midfielder that he must play more to feature in next year’s World Cup in Russia.
So far, no clubs have been strongly linked to Sissoko. Although, transfer speculation will rise as the summer develops. There have been murmurs of a possible return to Newcastle as well.
Sissoko had a strange time at Newcastle. His stock rose after he made the move to St James’ Park, having arrived in England as a relatively unknown quantity. He managed to break his way into the French national side, along the way.
The former Toulouse midfielder had a love-hate relationship with Newcastle supporters. He was often criticised for showing a lack of effort, particularly in his last campaign at the club, in which the Toon Army were relegated.
Sissoko had spells when he looked to be a high-quality player and times when he was non-existent, clumsy. He generally seems to perform at his best for France.
