Speaking prior to Tottenham’s Champions League clash with Real Madrid, former NUFC midfielder Moussa Sissoko has been talking about his move to Spurs once again, suggesting that nights at the Bernabeu are the reason he was right to leave Newcastle for a ‘better’ club like Tottenham.
A year on from his £30m move from Newcastle to Tottenham, it seems Sissoko is feeling very good about himself after putting in some much improved (and much needed!) performances for Spurs.
The Frenchman consistently disrespected our club and fans during his time at NUFC, speaking out about his wish to play for a ‘bigger club’ on the Champions League stage – all whilst he was putting in so many ordinary displays in black and white, doing nothing to suggest he warranted a big move away.
Last night his ‘dream’ came true, with him starting in Tottenham’s group stage clash with Real Madrid at the Bernabeu – a game they went on to draw 1-1 – however Sissoko was forced off through injury in the second half.
Here’s what Sissoko told Yahoo Sports before the game, restating just why he chose to join Tottenham instead of staying with Newcastle last summer:
“I came to Tottenham because, although I respect Newcastle, for me Tottenham is better than Newcastle.
“They try to win the title in the league and you have a chance to play in the Champions League.
“That is what I wanted and I have an opportunity to play in this kind of game (Real Madrid v Tottenham), so I need to enjoy it and try to take it game by game and give my best.
“I’m excited, we’re all excited, because we play against the last champions of the Champions League, it is a big team and it’s away.
“We will go there without pressure and try to play the game normally and hopefully come back with some points from the Bernabeu.
“I’m happy with what I’m doing at the moment, last season I came at the end of the transfer window so I didn’t have a pre-season, so it was difficult for me. Sometimes it takes time to feel comfortable in a new team.
“But this season is totally different, so I feel better. Everything looks good for me at the moment, so I will try to carry on with that and improve every game.
“Maybe I’m doing well at the moment but it’s not the end (of the improvement), I try to make some assists and goals because I’m a midfielder and that’s what we need.”
You can’t argue that Tottenham are a better side than Newcastle, but if you rarely start games and contribute far less in comparison to your fellow teammates, isn’t it all a bit immaterial?
Yes he’s been much improved this season, but he’s dropped out their starting 11 in the league recently following the return of Son. You get the feeling he is just very happy with himself for playing in a big game on the Champions League. Something he spent too much time dreaming about during his lacklustre days with us.
In fairness to him, he did far better than I expected against Real Madrid and has improved, but it’s hard to be happy for an ex-NUFC player who disrespected a club he so often underperformed for.
Here’s Spurs fans singing what we hope is a sarcastic chant about the Frenchman before the game against Madrid last night:
QUALITY: Spurs fans chant ??
Wake Me Up
Before You Go Go
Who Needs Bale
When You've Got Sissoko(?: @CharlieLloydT)pic.twitter.com/u8AUyBZNDN
— SPORF (@Sporf) October 17, 2017
