{"id":299952,"date":"2018-11-26T16:34:34","date_gmt":"2018-11-26T21:34:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lwosonfootball.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/?p=299952"},"modified":"2018-11-26T16:34:34","modified_gmt":"2018-11-26T21:34:34","slug":"moussa-sissoko-the-vital-piece-of-pochettinos-jigsaw","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2018\/11\/26\/moussa-sissoko-the-vital-piece-of-pochettinos-jigsaw\/","title":{"rendered":"Moussa Sissoko: The Vital Piece of Pochettino\u2019s Jigsaw"},"content":{"rendered":"

Moussa Sissoko<\/a> has been a player whom Tottenham<\/a>\u00a0manager Mauricio Pochettino has coveted; a player he has trusted. Yet, many Spurs fans have mercilessly trolled the player on social media and questioned his presence as a Spurs regular. Sissoko\u2019s attitude and application has never waivered and, against Chelsea<\/a> on Saturday at Wembley, he showed just what it is Pochettino sees in the strong midfielder.<\/p>\n

Spurs\u2019 Surprise Package – Moussa Sissoko is the Vital Piece of the Jigsaw<\/h1>\n

With Moussa Dembele<\/a> sidelined until early 2019 and\u00a0Victor<\/a> Wanyama<\/a> struggling for any sort of fitness, Spurs have a hole in their midfield. Harry Winks<\/a> has played well when called upon but it is Moussa Sissoko<\/a> who is becoming a vital part of Pochettino\u2019s squad.<\/p>\n

Fans have not always appreciated his endeavours but it could not be said that he does not give 100% every time he pulls on the Spurs shirt. He does look cumbersome at times, a bit like an octopus with legs and arms flailing. Some of his shooting has been awkward at best and he has not appeared to stand out from a very talented crowd around him.<\/p>\n

In Poch the Players Trust<\/h2>\n

Pochettino is not the kind of manager to listen to what people tell him he should do. If he believes in a player, he believes that they are picked because he knows they add something to the team dynamic. Against Crystal Palace<\/a>, Moussa Sissoko went on a mazy run that had he scored could have been a goal of the season contender. Palace defenders bounced off him and no one could get the ball away from his feet. It was a sign of the drive to get forward he has.<\/p>\n

Heung Min-Son,\u00a0Harry Kane<\/a> and Dele Alli<\/a> got all of the headlines after the Chelsea victory.<\/a> Yet, Moussa Sissoko was arguably at the very heart of everything Tottenham did well. He competed for four challenges and won every single one. Strong, robust but fair. On Twitter, Spurs Stat man tweeted Sissoko\u2019s stats:<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n

Moussa Sissoko vs. Chelsea:<\/p>\n

82.9% pass accuracy (29\/35)
\n100% tackles won (4)
\n10 ball recoveries
\n1 chance created<\/p>\n

? pic.twitter.com\/K25q6WN00M<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Spurs Stat Man (@SpursStatMan) November 24, 2018<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n