Toon ace Sissoko wants to hit the heights of Yaya

MOUSSA SISSOKO will discover how much he has still to learn this afternoon when he locks horns with his role model — Yaya Toure.

French international Sissoko’s all-action style has drawn comparisons with the Manchester City superstar.

And Newcastle’s January signing admits he looks up to Toure — and is desperate to follow the Ivorian’s success.

Sissoko, 23, said: “Toure is definitely a player I admire a lot. He’s had a fantastic career at all the clubs he’s been and won a lot of things.

“He’s a huge player for Manchester City.

“I do think we have got similar styles — we’re both powerful players and both like to get forward and try to score goals.

“Toure is Toure and I’m my own man but he is definitely someone I look up to.

“If I could reach that level that would be great.

“It’s something to aim for and obviously I hope I can.

“But I don’t think I’m there yet — not at all.

“He’s been lucky enough to play regularly in the Champions League and I’ve yet to play in that competition.

“He has a lot more experience than me. There’s a lot of work ahead for me if I want to reach his level.

“But I will do everything possible to get there and I’ll try to model myself on him. One day I’d love to think I could be as good as him.”

Sissoko has made an immediate impression on the Premier League following his £1.8million switch from Toulouse. He bagged a brace on his home debut in Newcastle’s 3-2 Premier League win over Chelsea last month.

And he has also starred in the Europa League, helping the Magpies romp into the competition’s last eight.
Sissoko now cannot wait to test himself against champions City at the Etihad.

And he admits that facing the Premier League’s best was a key factor in his decision to move across the Channel.

Sissoko said: “City are one of the best teams in the land — it’s a massive match and very important for us.

“I’ve watched a lot of them in the last couple of years and in that time they’ve made some incredible signings.

“They have some massive players there.

“Obviously they were champions last year so they are a big team and it’s going to be very hard for us.

“One of the reasons I came to Newcastle was to play against big clubs like Manchester City and Chelsea.

“I’ve always said the Premier League is the best in the world and nothing I have experienced so far has made me change my mind.

“Every week we are fortunate enough to play in great matches against great players.

“Chelsea was like that and, of course, it will be no different against Manchester City.

“For me, it is a dream to play against those teams and Newcastle have helped me fulfil those dreams.

“Each weekend I go out there and give my best shot so I can keep that dream alive.”

While boss Roberto Mancini this week conceded City’s title challenge was over, Newcastle still have all to play for this term.

Toon visit Lisbon next week for the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final against Portuguese outfit Benfica.

But Premier League safety is still far from secure after their controversial 2-1 defeat at Wigan last time out — a game which left Toon defender Massadio Haidara in agony following a horror tackle from Callum McManaman.

Newcastle sit just six points clear of the relegation zone going into the final eight games.

And Sissoko insists there is no danger of the club taking their eye off the ball, adding: “The Wigan result was a big disappointment for all of us.

“Unfortunately we lost and certain things definitely went against us that afternoon, like refereeing errors, but that is part of the game.

“You can’t let it affect you, you must move on.

“We can’t afford to dwell on that when we play Man City.

“We have eight league matches left and must first of all focus on getting safe in the league.

“We can’t afford to think beyond this match. The City game is too important for that.

“Benfica is a big game but we would be wrong to concentrate on that when this is so important.

“Mathematically we are not yet safe from relegation.

“So it’s vital to get the points we need as quickly as possible.

“That means focusing on the job at hand. Only after City can we look forward to Benfica.”