How a Mauricio Pochettino hug helped turn Moussa Sissoko’s Tottenham career around

Revival | Sissoko has been in outstanding form for Tottenham
Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty I
James Benge29 November 2018

Moussa Sissoko’s Tottenham career has been plagued with difficulties almost since the day he arrived in the summer of 2016 but a hug from Mauricio Pochettino may have been the secret ingredient in the French international’s revival.

The 29-year-old has often been the cause of fan ire since his £30million move from Newcastle but in recent weeks Sissoko has thrived at the heart of a Tottenham midfield ravaged by injuries.

Spurs’ last two games - crucial wins over Chelsea and Inter Milan - have arguably been Sissoko’s two best performances at the club and might just have set the midfielder on course for cult hero status among supporters.

Pochettino was certainly aware of the difficulties Sissoko was facing but revealed after the 1-0 win over Inter Milan that a pep talk between the two last month had helped spark the revival.

”I think first of all his team-mates are so happy that the fans now show the love," Pochettino said.

"I remember a few games here that the fans - because we are here, we feel and listen to everything - a month ago were not so positive, last season or the previous season.

"Then I remember one day that I hugged him and said you’re going to succeed here [and] after I work with him.

"All the players when we are at this level have the capacity and the quality to play, that is why they are here.

"But they need to feel the confidence, the trust, the love. Moussa had a tough period from the beginning, but now he is starting to feel free and he was key for the moment we scored the goal. He was a key part of the success.”

Pochettino’s glowing assessment of Sissoko was echoed by club captain Hugo Lloris, who has a “fantastic spirit”, according to his fellow French international.

“He is really appreciated in France, in the national team, that is why he is really appreciated in the squad in Tottenham.

"He is a great team-mate and the first to lead by example, on and off the pitch."

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