Newcastle star Moussa Sissoko told to up his game if he wants to fulfil his ambitions

Moussa Sissoko has been told to up his game

MOUSSA SISSOKO has been told to start producing the goods for Newcastle if he wants to fulfil his football ambitions.

 

The France international looked to be on his way out of St James’s Park in the summer only to be persuaded to stay after talks with Toon chief Steve McClaren.

Sissoko has never hidden the fact he is desperate to play Champions League football but so far this season he has struggled to produce his best form.

 

Newcastle face Manchester City today buoyed by their performance in the 2-2 draw against Chelsea but Sissiko was the one player to disappoint on the day.

And while McClaren won’t openly criticise the player, he has warned him that ambition must be backed up by consistency on the pitch.

“He’s obviously very ambitious and that’s great but like everybody else who is ambitious, I’m sorry but you have to perform every week to a certain standard and he knows that,” said the Newcastle boss.

 

“I’ve had lots of chats with him and he seems to be committed. But in terms of performance, I’m sure he admits himself he could do better.

“His work for the team, his stats and his running, all that high intensity, is more than he was doing last season. So he’s certainly doing his job and putting the effort in.”

McClaren, who is still awaiting his first Premier League win as Newcastle boss, is likely to send out an unchanged team against a City.

That means another chance at left-back for Swiss youngster Kevin Mbabu who enjoyed an outstanding debut against the reigning champions.

 

Mbabu, however, could have been plying his trade in the lower divisions with McClaren revealing the club considered sending him out on loan.

“He was nowhere near the first team and we were looking to loan him out,” added the Toon chief.

“But the decision was made for us when Daryl Janmaat came off against Sheffield Wednesday and he was the only defender we had on the bench.

“He could play right back so I threw him on and he did well enough in that game and showed the right mentality for me to put him in on the left against Chelsea.

“He has given everyone a lift, not just the first team and crowd but also the academy and under-21s.”