Newcastle United star Moussa Sissoko has hinted that a lack of Champions League football is holding him back at international level, reports the Metro.
The Frenchman is up against players such as Blaise Matuidi, Paul Pogba, Morgan Schneiderlin, and Yohan Cabaye to get in to the national team. All are either at sides who are in Europe’s premier club competition or have experience of playing in it in the past.
The Magpies has neither, having been with Toulouse until 2013 and then at St. James’ Park. He said: “Today, I look at those who are playing in my position [for France]. There is Blaise Matuidi who is doing extraordinary things at PSG, Paul Pogba, who is marvellous at Juventus.
“Yohan Cabaye, who has just signed for Crystal Palace and Morgan Schneiderlin who is now at Manchester United. Compared to me, they are all playing in big clubs. [The end of the season] is still far away. I have ambitions but I will first think about having a good league season and a good Euros, that I hope to win with France. After that, I will have all the time to think about [my future].
“When you look at certain moves, I said to myself this is enormous. Certain transfers shock me.”
Arsenal and Liverpool have both been linked with the 26-year-old, as well as AC Milan. The Gunners are the only one of the trio who are in the Champions League at the moment, and as such may be most enticing to the midfielder.
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The North Londoners are in need of a player of Sissoko’s ilk as well. Francis Coquelin has looked mentally unready for the pressures of a title race at times this season, and the Newcastle man could add some extra steel to Arsene Wenger’s side in the middle of the park.