Sissoko hints at Tottenham exit after 'worst season' of his career

Moussa Sissoko's latest comments suggest he won't fulfill the rest of his long-term contract with Tottenham, as he described his first season in north London as the "worst" of his career.

It didn't take long for Sissoko's joy on the day he signed a five-year contract with Spurs to turn to despair, as the French midfielder became a regular fixture on Tottenham's bench in the opening months of the season.

Sissoko, who left Newcastle last summer in a transfer that reportedly saw the Magpies collect £30 million, said he expected a gradual transition when he arrived but admitted he wasn't expecting such a reduced role with a team that ultimately produced its most successful Premier League campaign with a second-place finish.

"I fell from high," Sissoko told French outlet L'Equipe, as translated by The Telegraph. "Even though I never thought I would play all the games, I was not expecting such a low playing time.

(Photo courtesy: Action Images)

"It was the worst season of my career when collectively it was certainly the best - it's weird."

Despite coming off a season in which he started only eight league matches, Sissoko was included in manager Didier Deschamps' French squad ahead of next month's World Cup qualifier against Sweden.

But it's his place within the national team that's seemingly causing Sissoko to question his future at Tottenham. Although he's yet to address the issue with the club's representatives, he's confident a conversation with Deschamps will help him decide the next phase of his career.

"They know I'm 27, that I'm not a child and I have a World Cup to go and play. If I have to leave, I hope they won't cause a problem.

"There is also a little bit of hope that things go better next year. Today, leaving or staying, nothing has really been decided.

"I'm also going to speak about it with the national team coach. He generally gives good advice. He knows me very well, his opinion is going to count.

Sissoko's preference is to continue his career in England, but he's open to the possibility of returning to France's top flight - where he played for six years with Toulouse before leaving in 2013.

"We will see if there are offers, but Ligue 1 is attractive. We saw that last season with Paris Saint-Germain and Monaco, but also with teams like Lyon, Nice,and Marseille.

"I will analyse everything and make the best decision."