Had Moussa Sissoko not squandered a chance with the scores level against Liverpool on Sunday, the situation for a number of teams could have been very different.
Much has been made of his improvement this season, but was that miss a stark reminder Sissoko still has some way to go to truly convince?
6
Sissoko reacts after missing against Liverpool
Tottenham take on Crystal Palace in their first match at their new stadium on Wednesday night and they and Sissoko will hope to quickly bounce back from the disappointment of losing at the weekend.
As the ball flew high into the stands, there were fears it was heading for a back garden somewhere in Kirby – its whereabouts still to be confirmed.
The moment that proceeded Sissoko’s wayward attempt at goal was a visual paradox of the recent renaissance we were led to believe was nearly complete.
Powering forward, ‘only’ Virgil van Dijk stood between Sissoko and glory, a chance to be Tottenham‘s hero and a demi-god in both parts of Manchester.
6
Sissoko fires over against Liverpool
His ungainly run lacked conviction, you sensed it was never going to end the way it should have long before he received the ball.
The Frenchman always looks confused, unsure if the pass he has just controlled, was truly meant for him, desperate to get rid like a hot rock in a closed fist.
Now he was being asked to define both a match and a season, this was not in his script.
LATEST PREMIER LEAGUE NEWS
You sense had Harry Kane, Dele Alli, heck, even Jan Vertonghen, been in that position, the net may have rippled, Alisson would have at least been tested, reality instead produced neither, his Demba Ba imitation was woeful to say the least.
But was this an elaborate April Fool’s Day joke that had come full circle, albeit 24 hours early?
Had Spurs fans been hoodwinked into believing Sissoko’s supposed rectification would end with a composed finish into the bottom corner?
Obviously not, but you half expected Mauricio Pochettino to sprint towards the travelling support, gesticulating and yelling ‘got ya’ as the realisation slowly became apparent to those still digesting a missed opportunity.
6
Pochettino has persevered with Sissoko
While Pochettino is credited with making Spurs a solid, title-contending team, competing in the Champions League, his genius lies in getting the best out Sissoko.
Signed for £30million back in 2016 from relegated Newcastle, the Frenchman spent the first two seasons impersonating a man who had just read ‘how to be a footballer’ on the way to his medical.
He seemed to lack the basic fundamentals, control the ball, pass the ball, it was hard to watch.
The awkwardness whenever he had possession or went looking for it was apparent to his team-mates, their confidence in him dwindled.
6
Sissoko had a difficult start to life with Spurs
Yet remarkably, last summer, something changed and Sissoko went from ridicule to a key member of the side.
The sale of Moussa Dembele, lack of transfer activity and an extensive injury list have aided his inclusion massively as has the belief from Pochettino.
The Argentine realised he was best suited to the centre rather than out wide, blind alleys have never known of such a visitor, and his quiet confidence in the midfielder had gradually transmitted over to the fans.
“Everyone knows the first two years here were not easy for me and maybe it took some time to adapt with a new team but also a new style of football because when I was in Newcastle the system was totally different and even the culture of the manager was different,” Sissoko said in a recent interview.
6
Sissoko was superb against Chelsea
Against Chelsea in November, he was excellent, here, there and everywhere, Sissoko appeared to know what he was doing and in turn manage to convince others, who had previously felt otherwise. He worked tirelessly and seemed to have turned a corner.
Fast forward five months and for anyone getting too carried away, Sunday was proof that Sissoko is capable of reverting to type, ‘normal service has been resumed’, one fan wrote when describing his performance.
The White Hart Lane faithful have been led to believe Sissoko has improved beyond recognition, but it is likely, many of them would have had him low on their list for ‘one-on-ones with the goalkeeper’ and with good reason.
In three years at the club, there has been one Premier League goal, against Huddersfield Town in 2017.
6
The Frenchman’s response will be interesting
This season, even less. Fourteen shots, three on target, all coming in 25 appearances, 23 of those as a starter.
At Liverpool, Sissoko had the chance to break his duck and fluffed his lines. What remains to be seen is how he reacts from here onward, whether this will effect his once fragile confidence or if the transformation from scapegoat to player reborn is not simply a tagline.
Much like his play, you can never be quite sure with Sissoko and only time will tell.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic showed off his acrobatic side with a bicycle kick - but the Los Angeles Galaxy went down 2-1 to the New England Revolution. A long throw into the box was knocked to the 37
WATCH: Zlatan Ibrahimovic scores sensational bicycle kick for
talkSPORT.com rounds up all the latest transfer news and football […] Romelu Lukaku latest, Matthijs de Ligt told to join Man City, Liverpool star in fight for future - Fussboll Home
Transfer news and football gossip: Romelu Lukaku latest
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer insists Mason Greewood won't be fazed as he becomes the youngest player in Manchester United's history to start a Premier League game. The teenager made his first
Mason Greenwood has become Manchester United's youngest ever
Manchester United news: Alexis Sanchez turns attention away from football to make acting debut in film Talksport; Man Utd fans lay into Alexis Sanchez after flop reveals he is starring in movie
NewsNow: Manchester United News, Man Utd Transfer News
A place at Wembley against either Charlton Athletic or Doncaster Rovers is at stake and kick-off is at 7.45pm. in feisty League One play-off semi-final. Portsmouth host Sunderland in their
Sunderland v Doncaster Rovers - One News Page
Christian Fuchs extends Leicester deal while club announce departures of Shinji Okazaki and Danny Simpson at end of season Talksport; Leicester's Christian Fuchs signs new deal as Danny Simpson
Ajax 2 Tottenham 3 LIVE updates: Moura nets stunning hat
fussboll.com/2019/05/09/ajax-2-tottenham-3-live-updates-moura-nets-stunning-hat-trick-to-send-spurs-to-champions-league-final/
Ajax 2 Tottenham 3 LIVE updates: Moura nets stunning hat-trick to send Spurs to Champions League final
Leicester's Fuchs signs one-year contract
td-app-yahoo.fp.yahoo.com/finance/news/leicester-apos-fuchs-signs-one-161034739.html
Leicester wrap up their Premier League campaign with a home clash against Chelsea on Sunday, when Danny Simpson and Shinji Okazaki will say their farewells to the club. Both players, part of Claudio Ranieri's title-winning Foxes team alongside Fuchs, are leaving at the end of their contracts.
Rangers 'interested' in soon to be out-of-contract Rennes
fussboll.com/2019/05/09/rangers-interested-in-soon-to-be-out-of-contract-rennes-defender-mexer/
The 30-year-old has been a regular in the Rennes defence since joining the French club in 2014 Rangers are reportedly interested in signing Rennes defender Mexer. The 30-year-old will be out of contract in the summer and has also been linked with Bordeaux and Eintracht Frankfurt.
Cristian Penilla #70 nyheter, statistikker, bilder - New
Deeney not excited by FA Cup semi-final Omnisport April 4, 2019, 9:43 AM UTC Sunday's FA Cup semi-final against Wolves is just another game for Watford, according to captain Troy Deeney.
Watford captain Troy Deeney says FA Cup semi-final 'not
May 22, 2019 · Why Aston Villa deserve Premier League promotion. By Joe but they have a team full of players on loan from PL clubs who have formed a bond and could likely be kept together and bought
Leeds United and Aston Villa stars eyed by top-flight clubs
Tottenham Hotspur away kit 2019/20: Leaked image shows iridescent crest on a dark blue shirt Spurs are set to have an intriguing jersey on the road next year as Nike continue to their
New Tottenham 2019/20 kits: Leaked image gives fans first
Liverpool vs Tottenham: Zavvi accidentally email entire client-base saying they've won tickets to Champions League final Thursday, 9 May 2019 ( 3 weeks ago ) Thousands of people falsely believed they had scooped tickets to the Champions League final after a mistake from retail giants Zavvi.
Zavvi accidentally emails entire client-base saying they've
Royal Baby name latest: Adrian Durham believes Prince Harry and Meghan Markle should have called first child 'Raheem' instead of Archie by: 161385360554578 — Talk Sport 8 May Adrian Durham believes Prince Harry and Meghan Markle should have named their first child 'Raheem'.
Hello, Archie! Meghan and Harry name son Archie Harrison
Chelsea transfer news: Gonzalo Higuain's Stamford Bridge nightmare ending as Blues decide against extending loan deal May 16, 2019 Chelsea have decided against extending Gonzalo Higuain's loan spell and will instead send him back to Juventus this summer, reports claim.
Chelsea v Manchester City - Betting & Match Preview
No comments:
Post a Comment