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Sissoko move what’s best for Newcastle United

By Sean Maslin

Moussa Sissoko of France looks dejected during the European Championship Final between Portugal and France at Stade de France on July 10, 2016 in Paris, France. (Photo by Nolwenn Le Gouic/Icon Sport) (Photo by Nolwenn Le Gouic/Icon Sport via Getty Images)
Moussa Sissoko of France looks dejected during the European Championship Final between Portugal and France at Stade de France on July 10, 2016 in Paris, France. (Photo by Nolwenn Le Gouic/Icon Sport) (Photo by Nolwenn Le Gouic/Icon Sport via Getty Images) /
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Au revoir Moussa Sissoko. 

That is a statement that many Newcastle United supporters might be hearing sometime over the next couple of weeks. After having a tremendous run with France at the 2016 European Championships, the Magpies midfielder’s value has never been higher. With Sky Sports News HQ reporting that Newcastle United have set the transfer tag at 35 million pounds, now seems like the time to sell Sissoko.

Sissoko, 26, has played for Newcastle United since the 2012-2013 seasons. He has made 133 appearances for the Magpies over the course of three and a half seasons scoring 12 goals during that time. He featured for Les Bleus in every match during the 2016 Euros.

Long the scorn of many Newcastle United supporters who see him as a sign of the club’s slide, Sissoko has never really fit in with the Tyneside club. Especially last season when the club limped into relegation Sissoko was never able to be the creative force that the Magpies needed to put themselves over the top.

Sissoko himself has spoken out quite frequently about his desire to leave Newcastle. As he said in the magazine Foot Mercato 

"I have reached a level where playing in the Championship would be difficult for me. I need to continue to evolve. I aspire to play for the greatest European clubs and to continue with the French national team."

To be fair to Sissoko, Newcastle’s issues go far beyond him. A club that has progressively plunged to new lows under owner Mike Ashley the Magpies are slowly becoming a club whose identity is lost even to their most ardent supporters. Their yo-yo mentality in and out of the Premier League in recent seasons is an indicator not as on of the bigger clubs in English football but a sign of a club on hard times.

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So given Newcastle’s form and given that Sissoko’s value will likely never be higher now is the time to sell. This would not be the first time in recent memory that the Magpies have had to rebuild with the hope of a quick turnaround. After crashing out of the Premier League during the 2008-2009 season the club sold off many of their prized assets, going with a barebone roster into the League Championship. The result paid off in 2009-2010 title with the club finishing first in England’s former second division and a quick turn-around back into the Premier League.

The sale of Sissoko will go a long way towards rebuilding this roster. Assuming Ashley does not choose to line his own pocket, Newcastle coach Rafa Benitez can purchase 2-3 players who will either provide an immediate impact or can be someone who the club can invest in long-term. The club’s signing of Dwight Gayle this morning from Arsenal is precisely the move that the club will need to make if it wants to build a solid contender.

Although the sale of Sissoko may not cure-all of Newcastle’s problems it will go a long way towards helping the squad build not just for 2016-2017 but beyond.

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