Moussa Sissoko has explained why he thinks he has had a much better season for Tottenham Hotspur so far than his debut campaign.

The 28-year-old France international had a year to forget after signing for Tottenham for a then club record £30m from Newcastle in the summer of 2016, in the final hours of the summer transfer window.

Sissoko became a figure worthy of derision among the fans and he struggled to get game time under Mauricio Pochettino, who criticised his training and match performance levels at one point in the season.

However, this campaign has seen a player reborn somewhat with Sissoko become a big part of the Spurs squad and putting in some good performances in big matches against the likes of Real Madrid, and weighing in with a couple of goals.

"If I compare it to last season, then maybe yes it is a little bit of a surprise that I have played every game. But the situation is very different this year," Sissoko explained in Spurs' matchday programme.

"When I joined Spurs on the last day of the transfer window I didn't have a chance to have a pre-season with the club and that really does have an effect.

"It wasn't an easy season for me but in football you can have some good moments and some bad ones and you have to deal with whatever comes along."

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He added: "Of course this year I had a good pre-season with my team-mates and of course that helps, it makes a big difference.

"I feel a lot more confident now. I'm happy with what I'm doing and so is the manager and his staff and hopefully that can be seen on the pitch.

"I feel totally comfortable with the team this season and will keep working, keep fighting and helping my team-mates as much as I can."