LONDON -- Mauricio Pochettino has described Moussa Sissoko as one of Tottenham's most important players in a bid to dispel a "myth" about the France midfielder.
Sissoko has featured in all but one of Spurs' 30 matches in the Premier League and Champions League this season but he remains a divisive figure among supporters.
Sections of the away end appeared to jeer when Son Heung-Min was replaced by Erik Lamela in Sunday's 1-1 draw at Southampton, while Sissoko completed 90 minutes.
Pochettino, however, believes the 28-year-old is crucial to Tottenham and says no other player can do the same job as the Frenchman.
"You have to give the credit to him because he is the only player who provides balance in those transitions -- offensive to defensive, defensive to offensive -- in the team," Pochettino said.
"There is no other player in the team who can provide that. This is the best quality he provides to the team. The team needs that balance nowadays. He has been one of our most important players."
Sissoko joined Spurs from Newcastle United for a then-club record £30 million in summer 2016 but he started just eight league games last season and faced public criticism from Pochettino for his application in training.
The Spurs manager believes Sissoko has struggled to shake a poor first impression, adding: "We create myths. I do too! Like you [the media].
"Sometimes we all create myths but most of the times we are not clinical or honest in the way we assess things. Sometimes you think a way about someone because of first impressions and then they stick forever. I like that you [the media] give credit to him because he is doing very well."