Friday 2 December 2016 13:55, UK
Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino has defended big-money signing Moussa Sissoko, one week on from publicly criticising the French midfielder.
Sissoko arrived at Spurs from Newcastle United in the summer in a £30m deal following his eye-catching displays at Euro 2016 for France.
His Tottenham career has failed to get off the ground as yet however, with Pochettino dropping him from the squad completely for last weekend's defeat at Chelsea.
"He has failed to live up to expectations," Pochettino said about Sissoko on Monday. "Football is not about money.
"You need to show on the training ground you are better than another team-mate and you deserve to be involved."
On Friday, ahead of his side's fixture with Swansea, Pochettino defended Sissoko though, explaining how it has not been easy for the Frenchman.
"It has been difficult," Pochettino said.
"He signed on the last day, August 31, he goes to France for international duty, without pre-season, he came back, he got concussion, he was suspended for three games, so it was very difficult for him to adapt and fit into the team.
"After two and a half years, all of our players that come with us always struggle to fit and to cope with our pressure at the start.
"Sure, it's not easy for them and he's 27 and with different habits and it's not easy for him, it's not easy for anybody.
"I have been happy with his attitude this week. He trained very hard but it is not a big issue for me. All the players need to understand that we are a 24-man squad. I am the boss."
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