The 2008/09 campaign was to prove to be a very successful one for both Toulouse and Sissoko. With the departure of Emana to Real Betis, Casanova employed Sissoko in a more advanced role in midfield with fellow youngster Etienne Capoue taking the defensive midfield role. The ploy worked as Sissoko scored 5 goals during the season, helping Toulouse finish fourth in Ligue One. The young star’s success attracted the attention of France Manager Raymond Domenech. After playing at every youth level for France, he was  picked in the senior squad for France’s World Cup qualifier against the Faroe Islands in August 2009. Although he didn’t make his debut in that match, he did in the returning fixture against the Faroes in October and made his first start in the subsequent qualifier against Austria.

Sissoko has also continued his successful stint in Toulouse’s midfield scoring 8 goals last season as Toulouse finished 14th while he has already scored 5 this campaign as the French club lie 11th in the table. At 21, and with 3 French caps to his name, Sissoko looks a very exciting prospect, and although it would be way too presumptious to call him the “new Vieira” as some in the French press have, his star is certainly on the rise and hehas been heavily linked with a move to Liverpool in recent days. The player himself has commented that the Reds have shown interest in him and the club are rumoured to be leading the chase for his signature. Watch this space.

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