SISSOKO CUP FOR IT AGAIN

World dream is alive as Moussa stays put

MAURICIO POCHETTINO has admitted Moussa Sissoko wanted to quit Spurs in the summer.

But the club insisted he stay and they are now reaping the rewards.

The French midfielder struggled following a £30m move from Newcastle 13 months ago.

Sissoko made just eight league starts last term but has established himself this season after making it clear he needed to play to force his way into France’s World Cup plans.

He has been named in Didier Deschamps’ latest squad, and Pochettino said: “The player was the first interested to move because he wanted to play more in a season that has the World Cup at the end.

“But I think maybe that possibility didn’t exist and I was more than happy for him to stay and give him the chance to play.

“It’s always a decision between the player and the club and he didn’t play too much last season.

“Always the player is looking to move, to try to feel better and try to be important, maybe at another club.

“The club is sensitive in every single situation but in the end, we decided to keep him and he decided to stay with us.”

Sissoko arrived last September and without the benefit of a proper pre-season went on to endure a disastrous first campaign. But Pochettino has hailed him for his response, saying: “It was a big problem for him arriving at the end of the transfer window, two months after the start of pre-season.

“Sometimes you struggle to understand what the people expect from you and maybe that took a little bit longer than another player.

“But since he decided to stay here this season, he has tried to convince me to give him the possibility to play more.

“Today he is more confident in his skills and himself and the team-mates trust him more.

“He improved his self-belief and that is so important for a player.”