Thursday 14 March 2013 09:09, UK
Moussa Sissoko believes the sizeable French contingent at Newcastle United is not an issue within the squad.
Sissoko has been likened to French great Patrick Vieira, who remains one of the Premier League's finest ever imports, and he is a hero to the former Toulouse man. "Patrick Vieira is my inspiration," he said. "He played in the same position as me and we have a similar profile. Also someone like Mahamadou Diarra, who plays for Fulham - the same position, great footballers." Sissoko is already being heralded as a 'star' for Newcastle, but he is not sure about this tag just yet. "People say I am a big star now, but I do not consider myself a star. They signed me for my skills and to add to the team, not to be a 'star'," he said. "In terms of work, football, I try to be serious. It is a serious job on the pitch. "There have been careers in the past ruined by not being serious enough. It is important to be serious on the pitch, but off it to clear my head and relax and enjoy myself. "Away from the training ground, I like to laugh, go out with friends and, when not playing, enjoy a party or two. But I am quite reserved, in all truth perhaps a little shy. But I like to laugh and show joie de vivre. "When I was young, people in my family either played football or loved football. We used to watch a lot of football and I always wanted to get out there to practice. I could not wait for school to finish! "One day (aged 13) I was told that maybe I had talent to become a professional. At that moment I had to decide to go for it and try and be signed for a club. "Toulouse came along with an opportunity. The coach told me I had potential to have a great career. I put everything, all my work into having this career. "I spent some great seasons with Toulouse and now I have come to Newcastle a massive club where I hope I can continue to progress onwards and upwards."