Why Moussa Sissoko Would Be Perfect January Transfer for Paris Saint-Germain

Despite Paris Saint-Germain’s hands being slightly tied due to Financial Fair Play restrictions, the Ligue 1 champions are looking to add to the squad this January.

New names seem to be linked to the capital club every day, but Newcastle United’s Moussa Sissoko would be the perfect January signing for PSG.

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Le Parisien: Laurent Blanc asked PSG bosses for 1 player this month, despite FFP limitations. Blanc wants left-sided player eligible in UCL.

— Jonathan Johnson (@Jon_LeGossip) January 7, 2015"

Manager Laurent Blanc may prefer to sign a left-sided attacker to bolster his options, but with the players he already has in the squad, bringing in Sissoko this month would add much-needed versatility to the midfield and give the whole squad a much-needed kick in the right direction.

On Tuesday afternoon, per Eurosport France, it was revealed that PSG and Newcastle United were in advanced talks for the 25-year-old midfielder:

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Moussa Sissoko au #PSG c'est brûlant. Selon nos informations, discussions très avancées entre le club parisien et Newcastle #mercato

— Eurosport.fr (@EurosportCom_FR) January 6, 2015"

But these reports were later dismissed, per Miles Starforth of the Shields Gazette, and it seems the two parties have yet to discuss the move:

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Understand PSG are NOT in talks with Newcastle over a move for Moussa Sissoko, despite what @EurosportCom_FR have reported. #nufc #psg

— Miles Starforth (@milesstarforth) January 6, 2015"

However, that doesn’t mask the fact that Sissoko would be the ideal signing for Blanc.

Last season, PSG’s midfield trio of Thiago Motta, Blaise Matuidi and Marco Verratti was one of the best in Europe, helping the club win the league and make the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

After the World Cup in Brazil, Matuidi has struggled to find his best form, and Motta’s decline has been clearly visible for anyone who regularly watches Ligue 1.

All too often, PSG have looked sluggish in the middle of the park. Sissoko may not have the same tenacious, hard-working side that Verratti has shown this season, but he would bring much-needed energy, drive and forward impetus that the Parisian midfield has lacked so far this campaign.

Bernat Armangue/Associated Press

Many questioned his decision when Sissoko was included in Didier Deschamps' squad for the World Cup, but he brought France the same qualities that PSG have lacked this season.

Against Switzerland, Sissoko played beside Matuidi and Yohan Cabaye in a three-man midfield. His job was to protect Mathieu Debuchy at right-back and burst forward when possible. It worked to perfection, and the advances of highly regarded Swiss left-back Ricardo Rodriguez were nullified; Sissoko scored France’s fifth in the 73rd minute.

Blanc could utilise the same midfield but upgrade it with Verratti playing the Cabaye role as the deepest of the three midfielders.

Matuidi offers nonstop running power often unmatched throughout Europe, and his lung-busting runs are a great attribute when PSG are at their best. Sissoko would make PSG a more physically dominant side than they are with either Motta or Cabaye, but his ability to burst forward and create would add a new dimension to the champions.

With the inclusion of Sissoko, Blanc could continue to play a 4-3-3, similar to how he lined up for France. Moving to a 4-3-1-2 could also be an option, letting Sissoko break forward down the right to add another attacking option.

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7 - Moussa Sissoko has delivered 7 assists in the PL since 2013/14, more than any other Newcastle player. Supplier.

— OptaJean (@OptaJean) January 2, 2015"

No one in the current PSG side has delivered as many assists as Sissoko has for Newcastle this season. The former Toulouse midfielder has seven in the Premier League, whereas Verratti leads PSG with four and Javier Pastore has three.

In Ligue 1, PSG can struggle to break teams down when the opposition are allowed to sit back and organise the defence. Having another player to drive forward the PSG counter-attacks could be crucial in helping Blanc’s side overtake Marseille at the top of the league.

Sometimes a player’s energy and commitment can be contagious. Too many players at PSG are playing within themselves this season, especially in the midfield. The signing of Sissoko wouldn’t hamper the play of Cabaye and Matuidi; inspired by Sissoko’s drive and energy, both players could quickly rediscover their best form.

He may not be the marquee signing that PSG fans would expect or hope for, but that level of player is few and far between—especially in January. Sissoko is the type of player that could boost everyone around him. Helping the world-class players that they do have, finally play to their potential.