Last season was yet another worrying one for anyone affiliated with the black and white section of the North East. Turmoil is the norm at St James’ Park, but 2014/15 was particularly messy, with management changes and a close scrape with a drop to Championship football both genuine worries.
One shining light at Newcastle, even in the darkest times, has been Moussa Sissoko. From the worst patches of form under Alan Pardew to his displays when John Carver looked to be taking them to the drop, Sissoko has regularly appeared a class above many of the players around him, and has carried the side at times. Jack Colback at least provided some quality alongside Sissoko, but the Frenchman seems to be the one man in Newcastle’s squad who has regularly played up to the standard expected.
Sissoko unquestionably has the ability to play for a club in the top six and there have been links with moves to more ambitious sides for some time. Fortunately for Newcastle, Sissoko is yet to leave Tyneside, but it must have crossed his mind during some of the darker times.
It’s never plain sailing at Newcastle and keeping hold of a player like Sissoko should be seen as a coup in itself. The sheer power of the ex-Toulouse ace is enough of an asset, but when coupled with his technical ability and versatility it is surprising that Newcastle have held onto their man for so long.
However, there is a change afoot at Newcastle. Steve McClaren has arrived and brought in Gregorio Wijnaldum, who will likely play alongside Sissoko in a midfield three, and looks to be bringing in the highly talented Aleksandar Mitrovic to strengthen the front line. Newcastle are looking capable of challenging the top eight places again and have a manager who has developed greatly since his last spell at the top of the English game.
It appears that even Mike Ashley has realised he must spend and is backing his new manager in the market, much to the relief of the Toon Army. Wijnaldum and Mitrovic are believed to just be the start of summer spending that should guarantee Newcastle freedom from relegation, and they already have the makings of a top class midfield with Sissoko partnered by Colback and the Dutch newbie. Newcastle can bounce back and Sissoko is in the process of being proved right in his decision to stay at the club.
However, another season like the last and Sissoko must look to move to a side competing in Europe for the good of his career. His power can be breath-taking at times and the versatility he offers could see some of the biggest sides come calling. If I were a manager of a side with continental qualification ambitions, Sissoko would be the near perfect man to have to bring on off the bench.
This year could be a big one for Newcastle, and Sissoko is likely to be at the heart of most good things that happen on the pitch. If he can stay fit, and Wijnaldum can settle, Newcastle are going to surprise a few sides in 2015/16.
The summer business thus far will have been enough to convince the fans, and Sissoko, that Newcastle are more ambitious than they have seemed in recent years and the Frenchman is the sort of player that the passionate Geordies deserve.