Sky Sports pundit Danny Higginbotham has named Tottenham midfielder Moussa Sissoko as one of the most improved players in the Premier League this season and highlighted his impressive performances in Europe.
The 29-year-old French international, who has 56 caps for his country, has been a mainstay for the north Londoners across all competitions, missing just one league fixture since returning from a hamstring injury back in September.
However, injury forced him to be replaced in the first half of Tottenham’s Champions League outing on Wednesday night and Higginbotham says his absence will be a big blow for Spurs, drooling over his development.
Speaking on Sky Sports News‘ Match Centre (18/04, 10:13), he said: “One of probably the most improved players that I’ve seen in the Premier League this season, (Moussa) Sissoko.
“He was lost early on in the game (v Manchester City). He was immense in the first leg, he was immense in both legs against Dortmund. I think he’s absolutely vital to the way Tottenham play.”
Opinion
Who would have thought that Moussa Sissoko would be as important to Spurs’ squad as he has turned out to be this season? Yes, he was impressive during the last campaign but you would have still thought that he would remain a squad player rather than someone lining up in the starting XI week in, week out. He has proved all his doubters – and there were many of them – wrong so far and it is a big blow to Mauricio Pochettino to see him forced off with injury against City. The hopes will be that it is not a serious setback and that he will be back playing sooner rather than later, especially with a Champions League semi final to look forward to. It would be cruel for the Frenchman to be ruled out after the major role he has played so far, but unfortunately the football gods do not have empathy.