Tottenham news: Mauricio Pochettino tells Moussa Sissoko he doesnt 'deserve' Spurs place
Sissoko has only played 10 games for Spurs this season
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Mauricio Pochettino has warned Moussa Sissoko he must improve after he delivered a damning verdict on the midfielder’s first few months at Tottenham.
Spurs made Sissoko their most expensive ever player in the summer when they bought him from recently relegated Newcastle United on the back of a string strong performances at Euro 2016 with France.
However, the £30m man has only played 10 times for Spurs since arriving at White Hart Lane, with the only notable thing he has done being picking up a three-game ban for elbowing Bournemouth’s Harry Arter in October.
And Pochettino has admitted Sissoko doesn’t deserve a place in the team and questioned why his price tag should dictate whether he is picked ahead of his teammates or not.
"He was at home, he wasn't here,” he said.
"Football is not about money. It is about you being better, and that you show on the training ground that you are better than another team-mate and that you deserve to be involved or not.
"I need to take the decisions and I believe the players that started and the players on the bench deserved to be involved.
"There's nothing else to find in it. It is about football. Different things happen. You sign a player and then you expect something, and you don't find what you expected.
"If another deserves to be involved like maybe Josh Onomah or maybe Vincent Janssen they will be involved. Why, because we pay money, do they deserve to play?
“He needs to work hard and to show in future that he deserves to be on the team.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments