Moussa Sissoko is the big blow of the transfer window FC Nantes. The interested party says it in another way, with modesty: “There will necessarily be some waiting, but I am not putting any pressure. I’m 32, I’ve been through a lot. “While he had one year left on his contract at Watford, the French international midfielder did not imagine himself continuing with the Golden-Boys, relegated a few weeks ago. “In my head, I did not see myself playing in the Championship [deuxième division anglaise]… I wanted to be at the highest level again! »
Sissoko, whose agent Bakary Sanogo is very close to the Kita family, therefore chose Nantes. “I always had it in the back of my mind to come back to France. I had the opportunity with the FCN who offered me an interesting project. The discussions I had with the coach and the president seduced me. So that day has arrived. And then my family and my son live in France, that necessarily weighed in the balance. »
Nantes’ presence in the Europa League obviously influenced his decision. “During my career, I played a lot of European matches and I know that has a special flavor for any player. The fact that Nantes is there has weighed in the balance. »
He thinks again and again of the Blues
In which position Sissoko should be aligned by Antoine Kombouaré? “I’m here to try to bring my qualities, my experience. My preferred position is in the centre, but if I am asked to play on the side, I will. The most important thing to move forward is the collective. I’m not here to change the team, it has its structure, its way of playing, ”explained, with great humility, the first recruit from the Nantes transfer window. Antoine Kombouaré seduced “by the player but also by the man” ended up admitting that he imagined him “at the heart of the game” to “defend, recover, carry the ball, run errands” and why not “be decisive “.
In the meantime, by returning to France, Moussa Sissoko hopes to find the France team. His last selection – the 71st – dates back to Euro 2021, during the elimination in the round of 16 against Switzerland. The former Toulousain has not given up on a return to the international scene to compete in the World Cup in Qatar (November 21-December 18).
“In my head, I still have all my chances,” he says. It’s true that I haven’t been called up since the last Euro. I can understand it, I was at Watford and the results weren’t as good as I expected [19e, le club a été relégué]. But I received the preconvocations. It’s already a good thing. Nothing is played. I’m going to play my chances to the fullest, give my best, try to perform as well as possible. The coach will make his choices. Once the Euro ended, the World Cup in Qatar was in my head. It still is today. »