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| Tuesday 15 April, 2008 |
| Blog: Momo mia! |
| Momo Sissoko wasn’t the most popular signing Juventus have ever made, but he’s silenced his critics – including Antonio Labbate |
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Momo Sissoko was supposed to have been the biggest waste of money since, well, Sergio Almiron and Tiago Mendes. Slow, tactically naïve and ill suited to the Italian game – these were a small selection of the criticisms launched at the Liverpool reserve before he had even put pen to paper on a Juventus contract. Just three months later and his doubters, including myself, have had to reconsider their judgements.
While there are still some concerns over the amount Juve had to pay the Anfield outfit for him – the Bianconeri should have negotiated a fee of less than the agreed £8m – Sissoko has proved himself to be a revelation since his New Year switch. Although his early performances were understandably tentative, the 23-year-old has breathed new life into an exhausted Juventus midfield.
The Italian giants needed some mid-season touching up in the middle of the park. Almiron was sent on loan to Monaco just six months after his arrival, while Tiago remained only after the outfit couldn’t find a suitable buyer for the Portuguese flop. And with Antonio Nocerino struggling to live up to his early performances and Cristiano Zanetti’s fragile muscles needing a break, the decision was made to re-ignite their interest in Sissoko.
It was a brave move by Alessio Secco. To many it looked as if Sissoko’s arrival, especially at that price, was just the latest transfer blunder overseen by the much-maligned sporting director since the departure of Luciano Moggi in the summer of 2006. Instead, Momo is shaping up to be one of Secco’s most advantageous buys.
Today, Sissoko is a fans’ favourite. A giant in the thick of the action, the Mali international is not only being noted for his combative skills, but also for his ability on the ball where he’s demonstrated an unexpected aptitude for dribbling and shooting. It’s no wonder that he’s already being heralded as the new Patrick Vieira, even if that comparison may be a little restrictive in the long term.
“Rafael Benitez told me that I would become better than Vieira,” Sissoko noted recently. “I’m still young though, while Vieira has proved his worth. But I can only improve and why couldn’t I one day be a greater player? That’s certainly the hope.” And given his performances in 2008 so far, it’s probably too soon to bet against that happening. One slice of humble pie will be sufficient for now…
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I appear to be in the ever dwindling minority who haven't been persuaded by Sissoko's headless chicken routine. As a Juventus fan, so many things about this transfer still repulses me. First and most importantly are Sissoko's comments in the summer and then in January. First he insults his current club by telling anyone who will listen that Liverpool are "a much bigger club" in an attempt to endear himself to the Liverpool fans as he extends his contract, then after a matter of a few months and little playing time, he's telling us he's always been a Juventus fan!
Now I understand in this day and age every player tells us he's always been a fan of the club he just happens to have signed for, but his previous slight against the club will never be forgotten by me, no matter what he achieves while under our employment.
Then of course is the fact that we gave Liverpool the monetary and squad excuse to finalise the Mascherano deal – the player we should have went for, had our current management had any ambition. But, no. Secco had to commit us to the farcical £8.2m fee and now, according to reports, we could also be struggling to meet Bremen's valuation of Diego, as there's a big £8.2m hole in the coffers.
Let us not forget that this ridiculously expensive import will be detrimental to young home-grown talents like Nocerino, Marchisio and possibly Paro, all of which I'd be far happier seeing in the first team next season.
Lastly but by no means least, Sissoko is technically a diabolical footballer. His passing is non-existent [not advisable for a central midfielder playing for one of the world's most prestigious clubs and in Serie A of all Leagues], his tackling is rash to say the least and he continually gives away foul after foul, and people keep telling me his tackling is his strength! In fact it appears to me that the player's only strength is his stamina and physical presence.
Call me old fashioned, but I'd far rather have footballers playing for my team than athletes. Make no mistake that this club will never get near its previous stature under the influence of inept individuals like Secco, Ranieri and their uninspiring and un-ambitious signings they bring to this once great club. Sissoko will never be a favourite of this Juventus fan.
Mark "Sack the Board!" McGowan, Dundee
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