After Tottenham’s 1-1 draw with Liverpool last weekend, Mauricio Pochettino confirmed that Tottenham were in the market for a player who can bring pace and power to the side in order to change games.
It appears he got his wish, with Daniel Levy sanctioning a £30 million transfer for Moussa Sissoko. But where will the former Newcastle man play for Spurs?
Sissoko has been deployed in a range of positions for Newcastle over the years. The midfielder gave Danny Rose a torrid time playing on the right wing in the Magpies’ 2-1 win at White Hart Lane last season.
The right of midfield is certainly an option, particularly if Pochettino is keen to have a right footer on his correct side in certain matches, rather than utilising Erik Lamela as a left footer who can cut inside.
Given Christian Eriksen’s poor form of late, Sissoko could challenge the Dane for a starting spot in the number 10 position. It would be refreshing to see a powerful, effective dribbler playing in behind Kane.
But Eriksen, despite being out of form, is integral to Tottenham’s style and will be difficult to displace. With than in mind, Sissoko might be preferred in a deeper midfield position, partnering Eric Dier or Victor Wanyama.
Moussa Dembele is suspended for one more game, so Sissoko could be picked next to Dier or Wanyama in Spurs’ next match at Stoke City. The Frenchman is more likely to make runs in behind the opposition defence than Dembele, who usually remains in a supporting role to Tottenham’s more attacking midfielders.
It’s clear there are a number of options for Spurs to choose from when selecting Moussa Sissoko. But what do you think his best position is? Or better yet: Where on the pitch will he be most effective for Tottenham?
Personally I think he should be used as a box-to-box midfielder starting alongside either Dier or Wanyama. We have no effective cover for Dembele and he can’t play every game in four competitions. If brought on as an impact sub, possibly use Sissoko to replace Lamela on the right and stretch defences with his pace and strength.
Sissoko will probably be cover for Dembele, much like Wanyama is cover for Dier…
That and hopefully a bit more. He’ll need Pochettino’s boot up his arse to keep him going.
Really good addition to the team! versatile and flexible enough to cover in midfield or out wide plus with the potential to be a regular starter if he knuckles down and works hard! We are so much stronger with the addition of the all the new boys making us potentially title contenders! COYS!
I’ve read so much negative criticism of the sissoko signing this past couple of days. Funny, when he was heading to Everton it was “ambitious, exciting and a real statement of intent”. He’s coming Spurs and suddenly it’s a risky move and a waste of money ? I read how Danny Murphy thinks Spurs have fallen short in the transfer window and I’m left scratching my head. I think we’ve done very well in terms of strengthening key areas and if anyone is going to get the best out of Sissoko it will be Poch as an excellent man manager and Lloris as his captain and countryman. The only other transfer I would have liked to see is Carroll put out on loan. Other than that, good stuff.
I feel Sissoko could be our answer down the left flank. The key to breaking down deep-sitting defences. Eriksen is class, but lacks the strength and aggression to run at the fullback and prefers to play bumperball with danny rose before distributing back to the backline or playing a deep cross. Sissoko on the left wing brings pace, strength, defensive capability and a physical presence, which Eriksen lacks. Although wether we can get Sissoko to work hard is another matter altogether that Poch needs to address. I don’t think Eriksen should be dropped though, i think Eriksen should play at the 10, with alli dropped for now. However either Eriksen or Alli being dropped to play at 10 wouldn’t bother me. Sissoko and Lamela can alternate wings but i feel Erik is playing too well out on the right.
Lineup: gk: lloris (when fit)
Walker Toby Jan Rose
Dier Dembele
Lamela Eriksen Sissoko (Potentially)
Kane/Jansenn