TARGET SISSOKO
Pardew fears France midfielder will be next Newcastle star sold
ALAN PARDEW fears Moussa Sissoko could be the next Newcastle star to be lured away from St James’ Park. The 25-year-old France midfielder returns to the side for tomorrow’s lunchtime visit of Barclays Premier League leaders Chelsea, having served a one-game ban for the needless red card he picked up in the recent defeat at West Ham.
It was during Sissoko’s home debut for the Magpies two seasons ago that he scored twice in a 3-2 win over Chelsea, and Stamford Bridge boss Jose Mourinho is a known admirer of the player.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is another apparently keeping tabs on his compatriot and Pardew is bracing himself for a January approach.
‘We have not had contact from anybody else or heard from anybody else, but I take the point (he could be a target for others),’ said Pardew, who has previously seen France internationals Yohan Cabaye and Mathieu debuchy use Newcastle as a stepping stone to glamorous moves.
‘He is playing for a club where big clubs have come before and taken players away. I understand that so therefore, I guess, he is a player they will be looking at.
‘That’s all I can say because he has been terrific for us.’
Pardew will reinstate Sissoko despite his disappointment with the costly sending- off at Upton Park following two bookings in the space of 60 seconds — the first for kicking the ball away and the second for a clash with Andy Carroll right in front of referee Mike dean.
And, having had the player make a charity donation this week, he said: ‘I think he does owe the team a little bit if I am honest.
‘That sending off was needless and he would possibly be the first to admit that.
‘ But he has been absolutely superb for us and I am looking for a big game from him.’
Pardew — who celebrates four years on Tyneside next week — believes Sissoko has improved under his care following his £1.5million arrival from Toulouse in January, 2013.
The Newcastle boss added: ‘He is only a young player, 25, and he has already got 27 national caps for France. This is a guy who could win 50, 60 or 70 caps for France.
‘He is a powerful player and he is better player now than he was back then.
‘don’t get me wrong, he had a great day then (against Chelsea) but he is better now and that is because he has more experience and a better knowledge of the Premier League.
‘He has technically improved, without a doubt.’
Newcastle have lost just one of their last eight Premier League matches but, after a 1-0 defeat at West Ham and a 1- 1 draw at Burnley, are down to ninth having flirted with fourth a fortnight ago. Pardew, though, believes his side can upset the title favourites.
‘Mentally, I think we are in a strong position, and our confidence is high after one defeat in nine (in all competitions),’ he said.
‘We have a good spirit and a confidence that we’re learning lessons along the way. This is a new team. We learned a lesson at Burnley, that you have to put the ball at risk.
‘If you’re not going to take risks and make forward runs, and threaten the opposition, you will get beat.
‘We need to threaten Chelsea, and it’s going to be a cracking game because they’re a top team. They were terrific against Tottenham on Wednesday night — I was there.’