Five players who went from a joke figure to a cult hero



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Moussa Sissoko
This has been all the way. Of the worst signature of any Tottenham history one of Mauricio Pochettino's most trustworthy lieutenants, Moussa Sissoko has had as many ups and downs as he has experienced in the north of London. Ronan Keating looks at this roller coaster with envy.

"The figure of the joke slowly becomes a cult hero" line used to describe the Frenchman after his last influential appearance. A player who had no discernible impact in his privileged position as a winger, helped dominate the very expensive central midfielders, such as Chelsea and Real Madrid, during last two seasons, slowly settling into a new role at 29 years old.

It is important to note that it is not a new development. Sissoko has lost only once in his last 22 starts for Tottenham. Only Manchester City has been able to cancel its unique talents in the last 12 months. Thirteen Spurs players have more minutes in all competitions this season, but none have optimized them as effectively.

As easy as it may be to say that no one saw him coming, Mauricio Pochettino once again showed his immense foresight in January. He described Sissoko as "one of the most important players" on his team. at the beginning of the year, adding that there was "no other player on the team capable of providing" such a balance. In a certain way, Pochettino has supported the good horse against all odds.

The Frenchman started 21% (8 of 38) of Tottenham Premier League games in his first season, then 39.4% (15 of 38) of the last campaign. It has already started at 53.8% (7 out of 13) in 2018/19. Roberto Firmino was, quite unfathomable, all right.

Ross Barkley
"When one of your best players gets injured, it's not easy," Conte said after Chelsea's defeat in the second leg of their League Cup semifinal against Arsenal in January. "Especially when on the bench the only substitute is Ross Barkley."

The midfielder had barely pitched the ball since his Everton pbad, but the wall was already adorned with frustrated and scribbled writings. Barkley's debut at Chelsea was as difficult as possible, an inefficient performance summed up by a late corner kick that failed to beat the first man as his team looked for a crucial equalizer.

Barkley has only played twice in the Premier League for Chelsea last season; both games ended in a 3-0 defeat for the Blues. Barkley was eliminated after 54 minutes against Bournemouth in January and lasted 77 minutes against Newcastle on the last day. In a World Cup year, the former English Next Big Thing has never been part of the conversation.

While Conte's exit was inevitable, Barkley's subsequent resurgence was anything but. The former Chelsea coach has been criticized and scrutinized throughout his last year as head of the club, but his treatment of a struggling midfielder has never been a problem. He has never retained Barkley, and his successor would have the same difficulty breaking the chains that he imposed on himself.

Maurizio Sarri has somehow solved the riddle, coach and cuddle instead of renting and wading. Chelsea scored 16 goals and conceded six goals in 515 minutes of Premier League with Barkley on the field, scoring 12 goals and five conceded in 665 minutes without him. The forgotten man provides a timely reminder of his abilities.

Michael Keane
It should not be surprising that Sam Allardyce felt that Michael Keane was "Not up to the height mentally" at Everton. Often, the first card played by an old-fashioned and outdated manager to explain the underperformance of some squad members is usually a misdiagnosis of the problem. A crisis of confidence is not a weakness to eliminate, nor a fragility to test.

Considering Keane's first season at Everton, it would have taken the strongest character to avoid doubt. He made 30 appearances in the Premier League: eight under Ronald Koeman, three for David Unsworth and 19 under Allardyce. And there is a snapshot of the potential problem. Add Nigel Pearson and Sean Dyche to the fray, and each of Keane's key development leaders was at the center of his career, each insisting that his path be the only way. Too many cooks have ruined a potentially delicious broth.

The appointment of Marco Silva was to allow Everton to sacrifice any defensive strength in favor of Vibrance. However, only the first four conceded fewer goals (15) and only Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City gave less shots. Keane has blossomed when asked to focus on defense at Burnley. When she badociated with Kurt Zouma or Yerry Mina instead of Ashley Williams or Phil Jagielka, the story is finally repeating itself.

Wayne Hennessey
Wayne Hennessey had to wait 16 months for his first white sheet of Premier League at Crystal Palace. The Welsh has only made four appearances during this period. He was unable to find a way to dislodge Julian Speroni.

Signature by Tony Pulis at a transfer deadline in January 2014 alongside Scott Dann, Jason Puncheon, Joe Ledley and Tom Ince, Hennessey's purchase was the most bizarre of these five. He had not managed to hold a place with the Wolves of the championship and had lent half of the season to Yeovil. A player stained by previous relegation in the Premier League was surely not fit for a similar survival battle.

Hennessey has a hard time keeping a convincing grip on a starting point at Selhurst Park, even as Speroni's years of progress began to count against him. He briefly lost his place to Steve Mandanda in 2016, then again to Speroni a year later, but finally recovered his crown both times. He stayed atop the palace mountain, more because of the failures of his potential replacements than because of his own excellence.

However, the same can not be said of this season, when it finally imposed itself as a reliable presence at the back. Roy Hodgson has finally hired a worthy substitute for Vicente Guaita this summer, but that only forced Hennessey to reinforce his game. His save percentage of 69.1% is higher than that of Kepa (69% lol) and David de Gea (67.7%), while only three guards retained more than his four white leaves.

Paul Dummett
"I never had that kind of thing before. It took a lot of time. It was strange when I heard it. I was buzzing. I just need to keep doing performances, so they keep doing it and sing louder. It was strange. Normally, people shout, "Dummett, you're a shit."

It took 18 long years, but Paul Dummett finally realized his childhood ambitions in March. A player who joined the club at the age of eight finally gave his name to St James's Park, a 26-year-old player briefly stopped in his tracks after a much-awaited moment of appreciation.

"If the club had bought me for £ 8 million, it might have been different," said a left-back whose relationship with supporters has only recently become a relationship based on mutual respect . "Once you have gone through the academy without costing anything, they badume you are not good. And if the team has difficulties, you are more involved as a local boy. "

Dummett has not only struggled to earn the respect of fans. He once said The temperature Upon his return from a loan period with St Mirren in 2013, a new contract was offered to him with a caveat: "Pardew has told me that it's a good thing. was giving another one – year contract, but that 's what it takes to play in my team.

Five years later, Dummett is Newcastle player can not afford to loseAnd Pardew's eight-year contract is two years old, four years after the dismissal of the Magpies.

Matt Stead


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