ONCE considered one of Tottenham’s worst transfer signings of all time, the transformation of Moussa Sissoko has been nothing short of remarkable.

There’s almost a swagger about him as he walks through the mix zone at Wembley. Not a cocky one, more of a “I’m in a good place and nothing can get me down” type of walk.

It’s refreshing and actually quite pleasing to see from a player who was considered a transfer bust less than six months ago.

Sissoko moved to Spurs from Newcastle on transfer deadline day in August 2016 and initially struggled, to put it mildly.

His performances in the black and white of Newcastle had him wanted by a number of Premier League clubs. That Spurs managed to hijack his move from Everton at the 11th hour was seen as a major coup.

But whatever had him playing at a spectacular level in Tyneside never translated under Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino.

He missed out on the France squad that went on to win the World Cup and many fans were shocked, somewhat furious, that he wasn’t sold in the summer.

However, the summer off seemed to galvanise the midfielder and where he was once booed by home fans on a routine basis, he has become a cult-hero in the subsequent months, culminating in his nomination for November’s Premier League Player of the Month.

“I honestly don’t know,” Sissoko tells me when I ask what brought around his remarkable improvement.

“I’m still the same guy, the same player, so maybe my performances are better this season because I’m more confident and have the chance to play a few games in a row and that’s become easy for me, I feel comfortable in this team so maybe that’s why I’m doing well.

“Since I’ve been here, I’ve tried to give my best in every session. Maybe at the beginning it wasn’t easy. Like I said in the media a few days ago, I never give up. I was strong in my mind and my teammates and staff were here helping me to improve and now I’m doing well.

“I’m very happy to keep going that way and to enjoy it.

“When I’m on the pitch, I can feel the people are behind me. They are singing my name so I am very pleased for that, I need to keep going, keep working hard and try to give my best every game.”

Sissoko is likely to feature today against Leicester, with the club currently sitting third in the Premier League.

While it’s not impossible for Tottenham to catch leaders Manchester City, they are eight points clear before a ball has been kicked today. Fans know that it’s extremely unlikely.

However, those teams chasing City and Liverpool to some degree, are so tightly packed together, that even a draw can send you tumbling multiple places.

Defeat to Arsenal last weekend saw the Gunners leapfrog their rivals, only to see Spurs open up a two-point gap midweek following the Lillywhite’s win over Southampton and Arsenals 2-2 draw against Manchester United.

“The table is very tight. You lose one game and you can be fifth, you win and you can be third, it changes a lot.

“We are just focused on ourselves, trying to win every game, and like I’ve always said, the best way to prepare for Leicester was to win [against Southampton on Wednesday night] and we did it.

“We have more confidence to go there as it’s not an easy place to play, so that will help us to have a good game away.”

While Sissoko is only taking it one game at a time, it’s difficult not to look ahead to their midweek game.

Not many will give Tottenham much hope of getting a result against Barcelona at the Nou Camp on Tuesday.

Qualifying for the next round of matches in the Champions League hinges on Spurs matching Inter Milan’s result against PSV, which wouldn’t be too difficult were they not playing one of the best teams in Europe.

“Everyone knows Barcelona is one of the best teams in the world,” says Sissoko. “It will be an exciting game for us and at the same time very difficult. 

“We will play the game without pressure because that’s how we are but before that we have Leicester and the best way to prepare for Barcelona is to have a good game against Leicester, try to get the three points and go to Barcelona with a lot of confidence.

“We will play to try and come back with the victory. It won’t be easy because, like I said, Barcelona is one of the best teams in the world, but if we give everything, I think we can win away.”

It’s not impossible and this Tottenham side have shown they can beat anyone in Europe on their day.

Last season they drew against eventual winners Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu before dismantling them a few weeks later at Wembley.

They also did the same against German giants Borussia Dortmund, winning at home and then repeating the feat at Signal Iduna Park.

Sissoko played a part in all four of those games, knowing what it takes to beat some of the bigger names in Europe both home and away.

This team has the potential to cause an upset when they line up against Lionel Messi and Barca.

But for Sissoko, it is imperative that Tottenham focus on the Foxes today and pick up three points to carry forward the positive momentum needed if they are to stand any chance on Tuesday night.

“Football is a 90-minute game so we have to be ready to try and fight from the beginning and at the end, we can have a good result.

“I hope we will do it but we have to be ready for Saturday against Leicester, hopefully come back with the three points and prepare for Barcelona in the right way.”