Tottenham can find an upgrade over Moussa Sissoko
Moussa Sissoko deserves credit for working hard and salvaging his Tottenham career this season. The Frenchman has improved massively since last year’s comical campaign. Unfortunately for Sissoko, he still isn’t capable of being a difference maker for Mauricio Pochettino.
His lack of potential is precisely why Spurs should be open to offers for Sissoko starting in January. Fortunately, there are still several clubs interested in the Frenchman’s services. The Sun claims that Valencia are ready to stump £22 million for him once the winter window opens.
That sum would leave Spurs £8 million of the fee they paid Newcastle for Sissoko, but it still should be enough to get a deal done. It’s time for Daniel Levy and company to admit financial defeat. Sissoko is no longer a disaster on the pitch, but the club have outgrown him since his arrival.
We’re talking about a squad that battered Real Madrid 3-1. Tottenham are no longer a squad that are focused on nicking the fourth spot in the Premier League table to ensure Champions League qualification. Pochettino has molded the squad into a group that’s capable of winning the Premier League or any other competition they enter.
More from Tottenham Hotspur
- Bayern Munich reach agreement for Harry Kane
- Antonio Conte goes scorched earth on Tottenham
- Clement Lenglet set to join Tottenham on loan
- Tottenham set to sign Brazilian Richarlison
- Tottenham Hotspur hold off Arsenal for Champions League spot
Such aspirations require Spurs to employ a deep and versatile squad. Currently, Sissoko plays a meaningful role for the club. That might cause some of you to question the idea of parting with him in January.
My suggestion to sell him to Valencia is based on the idea that Tottenham can do better in the transfer market. It wouldn’t be very difficult for Spurs to acquire a younger, cheaper midfielder with a lot more long-term potential. The addition of such a player would make Sissoko’s spot in the squad entirely superfluous.
The emergence of Harry Winks in the midfield has already knocked him out of the rotation in Pochettino’s double-pivot. Once Victor Wanyama returns from injury he’ll be even further outside the midfield mix. That means Sissoko’s only real path to regular playing time will be further forward.
That’s already a crowded space with Christian Eriksen, Dele Alli and Son Heung-Min competing for two spots on most match days. Once Erik Lamela (finally) returns from injury he’ll likely move ahead of Sissoko as well. Once that occurs, there’s really no room for Sissoko in Pochettino’s match day 18.
Next: Tottenham battling Arsenal for Dembele replacement
Moussa Sissoko isn’t a Tottenham punch line any longer, but that doesn’t mean he has a secure place with Spurs. The club would be wise to invest in an upgrade over the French international this summer.