Moussa Sissoko admits frustration not joining Tottenham sooner.

The midfielder left Newcastle on deadline day at the end of August.

"I had a complicated season with Newcastle, with relegation at the end ... So the critics, I understand them. I would say that they motivate me and push me to give more," the midfielder told FIFA's official website.

"Everyone knew that I wanted to leave Newcastle to go to a more ambitious club that plays in the Champions League and at the top of the table. God thank you, I signed with Tottenham.

"I'd been in discussions with them for quite a while and everything was eventually sorted out in the final hours. I would have liked it to have gone through earlier. I managed to have a bit of a break, but it left me mentally drained.

"And I would have liked to have started the season with the team because that makes it easier to settle in. Arriving at the end of the transfer window is not the same, though I got a really good welcome and everything went well."