Tottenham Hotspur’s midfield dynamic has made for interesting viewing this season, with the exploits of Tanguy Ndombele and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg playing a key role in the side progressing under Jose Mourinho.
However, one Spurs man that deserves a lot of praise for his importance in this season’s successes is Moussa Sissoko.
The Tottenham fans’ favourite has been an almost ever-present in the heart of the side’s midfield alongside Hojbjerg and has done a lot of the un-glamorous work to allow more illustrious team-mates to prosper higher up the pitch.
When Ndomebele or Gio Lo Celso move forward to assist the Spurs attack, Sissoko covers them.
When Serge Aurier bombards down the right flank, Sissoko fills the gap.
On so many occasions this season, when the opposition has threatened to take advantage of space between the Tottenham lines, it has been Sissoko that has eradicated the danger.
The France international has clearly taken on board Jose Mourinho’s instructions and his discipline and positional sense are key to the Spurs gameplan.
What makes Sissoko’s performances all the more impressive is the fact that the Tottenham boss stated in December 2019 that he didn’t see the all-action 29-year-old as a central midfielder.
“I don’t think he’s a midfield player in a core position, number six or a double six,” Mourinho said at the time, according to The Sun.
“I think the best position for Moussa is when the team plays with a positional midfielder and he has freedom to go, or from the right like he did against Bournemouth.”
Sissoko has clearly won over Mourinho, similar to the way he won over the Tottenham fans after a slow start to life in North London, and now must be viewed as a key component in the club’s search for silverware.