Danny Murphy says Moussa Sissoko has little chance of breaking back into Tottenham’s starting line-up.
Sissoko started against his former club Newcastle United on the opening day of the Premier League season but hasn’t featured for Spurs since.
The midfielder joined Tottenham from Newcastle in the summer of 2016, enduring a difficult first season in north London.
His second campaign was slightly better – Mauricio Pochettino would often call upon him when needed despite his divisive nature.
But Sissoko has struggled to make an impact this term, mainly because of the competition he faces in midfield (Mousa Dembele didn’t depart over the summer as expected) and attack (Lucas Moura’s impact has made things more difficult for Sissoko).
Speaking about Spurs’ squad depth on Sky Sports’ The Debate broadcast, Murphy talked down Sissoko’s chances of featuring prominently for Pochettino’s side this season.
“People talk about lack of competition [at Tottenham],” Murphy said (via HITC). “But Eriksen, Alli, Son, Moura, Kane, Lamela… I was going to say Sissoko, but he’s gone hasn’t he? And he wouldn’t really be competition anyway.”
Sissoko was linked with a deadline day move to Fenerbahce but a move failed to materialise, meaning he will be a Spurs player until January at least.
Whether he gets any game time in the comings months may depend on injuries and other squad issues.
Never seeing Sissoko in a Spurs shirt ever again would be like winning the League.
Sissoko is recovering from injury, and like other players currently getting fit or available as substitutes but having yet to play more, he’ll be a welcome option once the season’s competitions get underway. As things are, there have been only a handful of Spurs matches and an early international-break.
Sissoko has a great engine but his final ball or shot has been awful. Shame as he is strong and an athletic.