Either starting or coming off the bench for Tottenham on a regular basis these days, Moussa Sissoko’s time in London is improving quite a lot, and rumours about an exit have now long disappeared.
Clearly appreciated more and more by Mauricio Pochettino, the midfielder, if he carries on this way, now stands a good chance of making Didier Deschamps’ squad for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
However, as you probably know, his time in England hasn’t always gone smoothly, especially during his final years at Newcastle and his first season at Tottenham.
Still, he never gave up, and why would he, as he revealed in an interview with Onze Mondial that he’s doing exactly what he’s always dreamt of doing: playing football in England.
In fact, and Tottenham fans look away, it was an Arsenal legend who inspired him to want to one day play in the Premier League.
Sissoko said: “For me, it’s the country of football. I’ve always wanted to come here. When I was younger, my model was Patrick Vieira. I’ve always wanted to imitate him. I liked Mahamadou Diarra too, but Patrick Vieira was my reference. I watched all his games when he was at Arsenal.
“I loved that league, I loved the atmopshere, the level, the intensity. I saw myself in Patrick Vieira and saw myself doing well in England. I told myself to play as well as possible in France to be able to sign in England. Today, I’m here, and I’m very happy”.
Refusing to be labelled a ‘Swiss army knife’ due to his ability to pretty much play anywhere in midfield, Sissoko doesn’t really care what people say about him.
After all, as he says: “I think a lot of people would dream to be where I am today”.
That they would, Moussa, that they would.
