“Moussa showed what he can do. He wants to be a top-four player, and he will be if he plays like that”
High praise for Moussa Sissoko after a sensational performance against Norwich City three weeks ago, but perhaps surprising that it came from the mouth of Steve McClaren. Acknowledging the brilliance of his midfielder, the Newcastle head coach also acknowledged the regularity of Sissoko’s well-publicised ambition; something that irks Newcastle fans greatly.
McClaren’s post-match words rather sum up the French international ever since he arrived at St James’ Park in 2013. Sissoko immediately showed his ability with a blistering performance against Chelsea and the relatively unknown recruit from Toulouse was quick to talk up comparisons with Patrick Vieira and ambitions to emulate him at Arsenal.
There is no doubting that Sissoko has the quality to play in the Champions League and compete at the highest level; he has the ability for sure. He is strong, powerful, and very quick. He can cross, score goals, and never misses a game through injury. On his day he is absolutely frightening going forward, as Norwich City discovered. He has 33 caps for France and impressed on the world stage in 2014 in Brazil.
In 2013/14, his first full Premier League season, he created 77 chances for his team; only bettered than Eden Hazard, Luis Suarez, Samir Nasri, and David Silva. Some of his goals have been out of the top drawer; a screamer against West Brom and a brilliant solo goal at the Etihad last season against Manchester City notably.
Sissoko is highly revered by ex-professionals and pundits within the game and, at 26 years old, has massive potential to be even better.
Surely then this would make Newcastle fans loathe to potentially losing Sissoko in the future; fearing a repeat of the heart wrenching and incredibly detrimental loss of Yohan Cabaye. But regardless of his obvious value to the club, his dalliances with the media off the field have created a somewhat strained relationship with supporters.
I’m sure next week will see the latest interview in France regarding Sissoko’s future, as it seems an international break can’t go by without one. Since the day he arrived on Tyneside the midfielder has been all too happy to pitch his career ambitions to play for clubs in the Champions League.
His ability suggests that he is destined to achieve his goal but the problem is that he has given more interviews than performances in a black and white shirt. Too often Sissoko has gone missing, thrown in the towel, or just generally underperformed.
Supporters can accept dips in form or occasional poor performance, but when a player publicly see’s Newcastle United as a stepping stone then his attitude will always be questioned. Supporters want commitment, focus, and passion for the shirt. Fair enough, Sissoko is a Frenchman who has career ambitions and rightly so. But there is a time and a place to express those ambitions and a better way to do so than Sissoko has done.
Unfortunately for the midfielder, it will always follow him around in his Newcastle career. His eventual move will be expected and, despite the obvious loss of talent, won’t sadden too many Geordies.
Furthermore, because of his interviews, regardless of how well he plays he will always be close to criticism from supporters. Despite his performances of late, and the amount of running he does, you can hear fans at games dubbing him “lazy” and getting more frustrated at his mistakes than those of others.
The mentality is “well if you are better than this club then you should show it every week”; “you shouldn’t misplace that pass, or lose that marker”. After the Watford game his selection was questioned, yet he linked up with Daryll Janmaat time and again down the right side in the second half.
In his defence he was probably unfairly criticised at times last season, where he was the standout player in an ailing squad under John Carver. As the team toiled, Sissoko would continue to try and create something to shout about. More was expected of him in a desperate situation but he couldn’t do it alone. It made him even more susceptible to criticism.
It is unfair to say that he doesn’t care, because he clearly does. But he has made a rod for his own back and has to live with it, although I do feel that the French media have made it difficult for him to avoid questions on his future.
The club’s hierarchy and transfer policy also hasn’t helped the situation. When joining Newcastle, Sissoko was clearly sold on the “stepping stone” model that served the likes of Cabaye and Demba Ba well. It has been well documented that this approach needs to change for the club to thrive again.
What is most important now is how Moussa Sissoko performs for the rest of the 2015/16; for Newcastle United but also for himself. If he plays consistently to level everyone knows he can then he can star at Euro 2016 and who knows after that.
Against Norwich he was sensational, absolutely unplayable going forward and at the forefront of everything. He showed flashes again against Sunderland and looked most likely against Stoke City, who stifled him as well as they could for large periods.
Sissoko is clearly beginning to thrive under Steve McClaren, particularly playing in the attacking quartet alongside Wijnaldum, Perez, and Mitrovic. This could be the system that gives him the platform to have a consistent run of impressive performances that have gone missing in the past. He is really showing just how good he can be, and the heights he could reach as a player.
If Newcastle United want to progress this season they need Sissoko to be on top form. The Frenchman needs to keep his head down, keep performing well, and keep away from the career probing journalists. If he can give the fans committed performances and respect the badge, then if a big money move materialises he will be wished well.
He has talked a good game, now is the time to play a good game on a regular basis and win the full respect of the Newcastle United fans.
