Momo Sissoko

Momo's Vieira ambition

Momo Sissoko has won over the Juventus supporters and is aiming high. “I want to be better than Patrick Vieira.”

The former Liverpool midfielder completed his transfer during the January window and after a shaky start has impressed fans and critics alike.

“Juve had been chasing me for two years,” he told Sky Italia. “I was meant to sign at the end of last season, but as I was happy at Liverpool I preferred not to risk it.

“Then I started playing a bit less at Liverpool and Juve renewed their interest. Despite the fact I had other very advanced negotiations in place, I chose Turin because for me they were the Number One club.”

He was specifically requested by Coach Claudio Ranieri, who had already worked with Sissoko at Valencia.

But he revealed that it was another former Juventus figure who proved instrumental in the move.

“Vieira advised me and spoke highly of Juventus. Rafa Benitez told me I would become better than Vieira.

“As far as I am concerned, I think we still have many years between us and I am still young, so I have a lot left to prove. Vieira has already shown he is a great. I can still improve and, why not, even become stronger than him.”

The 23-year-old Mali international is looking forward to his first clash with Milan this Saturday and Juve need a result after their 3-2 defeat at Palermo.

“We have many regrets, because we deserved to win that game, especially after a fantastic second half.

“That is football, sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, now we have to wipe it all off the slate. There is a crucial match against Milan coming up and we cannot be unprepared.”

channel4.com