Sissoko maintaining self-confidence after difficult Spurs start

Moussa Sissoko still backs himself to overcome a tricky beginning to his Tottenham Hotspur career and eventually justify his £30-million price tag.

The midfielder was subject of a classic summer transfer deadline-day narrative when Spurs supposedly pinched him from under the nose of Everton, but things haven't gone well since. Just two weeks ago, manager Mauricio Pochettino suggested he was underwhelmed by Sissoko's effort in training and said the player needed to show "he deserves to be involved in the team."

Related - Pochettino: Sissoko must prove his worth at Spurs

But, after promising cameos in Sunday's 1-0 defeat at Manchester United and the 5-0 stuffing of Swansea City the previous week, there is now hope that the ex-Newcastle United man is settled in north London.

"A lot of things have been said, but I stay strong in my head," Sissoko told SFR Sport, as reported by The Evening Standard's Sam Long.

"I continue working, doing the things I have always done. I have faith in myself, in my qualities, and I know I'll stay in this team."

Not only is competition for a spot in Pochettino's starting XI tough - Heung-Min Son is currently ahead of Sissoko, Erik Lamela, Georges-Kevin Nkoudou, and Josh Onomah for a wide position - but it's been debated whether Sissoko's kick-and-run style of play is even suitable for Spurs.

His work ethic was a matter of debate back at Newcastle too, particularly when the Magpies were in the process of falling into the second tier during the 2015-16 campaign.

In a full midweek calendar of Premier League fixtures, Tottenham welcomes Hull City to White Hart Lane on Wednesday.