Aly Cissokho

Aly Cissokho

Cissokho playing for Lyon in 2010
Personal information
Full name Aly Cissokho[1]
Date of birth (1987-09-15) 15 September 1987
Place of birth Blois, France
Height 1.81 m (5 ft 11 in)[2]
Playing position Left back
Club information
Current team
 Aston Villa
Number 28
Youth career
1995–1999 AMJ Blois
1999–2003 Blois Foot
2003–2004 Saint-Jean-de-la-Ruelle
2004–2007 Gueugnon
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2007–2008 Gueugnon 22 (0)
2008–2009 Vitória Setúbal 13 (0)
2009 Porto 15 (0)
2009–2012 Lyon 93 (1)
2012–2014 Valencia 25 (2)
2013–2014 → Liverpool (loan) 15 (0)
2014– Aston Villa 55 (0)
2015 → Porto (loan) 2 (0)
National team‡
2010 France 1 (0)

* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 0:01, 6 May 2016 (UTC).

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 11 August 2010

Aly Cissokho (French pronunciation: ​[ali sisɔko], born 15 September 1987) is a French professional footballer who plays for Aston Villa, and the France national team. He plays as a left back and has been described as a "sprightly left-back with good speed and stamina".[3]

Cissokho began his career playing for local clubs within his hometown, such as Blois Foot 41. In 2004, he signed with professional club FC Gueugnon and spent three years in the club's youth system before making his debut in the 2006–07 season. He spent only one season at the club and, in June 2008, signed with Portuguese club Vitória de Setúbal in the Portuguese Liga. After spending only half a season with the club, Cissokho departed Vitória for the league's defending champions Porto, where he won the Portuguese league and cup double and played in the UEFA Champions League for the first time. In July 2009, after a failed transfer attempt to Italian club Milan, he signed a five-year contract with French club Lyon for a fee of €15 million. At the beginning of the 2012–2013 season Cissokho was sold to Valencia CF and was subsequently loaned to Liverpool for the 2013–14 season.[4]

Cissokho is also a French international and earned his first call-up to the team in November 2009. He made his senior debut a year later in August 2010 in a friendly match against Norway.[5]

Club career

Early career

Cissokho was born and raised in Blois, the capital city of the Loir-et-Cher département, to Senegalese parents. He grew up learning the sport of football from his three older brothers who are also football players. Mamadou, the eldest, and Demba remain in Blois playing for local amateur clubs AFM Blois and Blois Foot 41, respectively, while Issa plays for professional club Nantes in Ligue 1.[6][7]

Cissokho began his football career at the age of eight playing for AMJ Blois. He spent four years in the club's benjamins section and, in 1999, joined the biggest club in the city, Blois Foot 41. While at the club, Cissokho settled into his role as a left back with his coaches describing him as a player with great potential.[6] Following his move from Porto to Lyon, Blois were compensated €162,500 due to an agreement Blois reached with both Gueugnon and Porto. The payment helped the club achieve some stability after a few years of financial difficulties.[8] After four years at Blois, Cissokho had a year's stint at FCO Saint-Jean-de-la-Ruelle. In 2004, while playing with Saint-Jean-de-la-Ruelle, Cissokho was spotted by the assistant manager of professional club FC Gueugnon Jean Acédo who recommended that the player join his club, who were playing in the second division of French football, Ligue 2.[6] In July 2004, he signed with the club and was inserted into the club's youth academy.

After two years in the club's academy and another two years in the reserves, Cissokho made his professional debut on 25 May 2007 in a league match against Metz. He started and played the entire match in a 2–1 victory.[9] Following the season, Cissokho signed his first professional contract agreeing to a three-year deal until June 2010. He was, subsequently, promoted to the senior team for the 2007–08 season and assigned the number 3 shirt by manager Alain Ravera. Under Ravera, Cissokho struggled for playing time often being utilized as a substitute, however, after the sacking of Ravera in October 2007, he was inserted into the starting lineup by new manager Alex Dupont. He appeared in 22 league matches during the campaign, starting in 15, but could not prevent Gueugnon from finishing dead last in the league, which meant relegation to the Championnat National.

On 2 June 2008, Portuguese first division club Vitória de Setúbal confirmed on its website that the club had signed Cissokho to a three-year contract until 2011.[10] He made his debut for the club on 22 August 2008 in a derby match against Vitória de Guimarães playing the entire match in a 1–1 draw.[11] Cissokho appeared in 15 league matches for the club and, also, made his European debut in a UEFA Cup match against Dutch club SC Heerenveen.

Porto

After positive displays for Vitória de Setúbal, on 9 January 2009, the defending champions Porto announced that the club had acquired 60% of Cissokho's rights for a modest fee of €300,000.[12] Upon his arrival, Cissokho was given the number 28 shirt and immediately inserted into the starting lineup by manager Jesualdo Ferreira making his debut 17 January in a Taça da Liga match against Académica de Coimbra.[13] In the league, Cissokho appeared in 15 matches with the club going undefeated in that span.[3] The unbeaten streak led to the club winning its fourth consecutive league title and giving Cissokho his first major honour.

In the UEFA Champions League, Cissokho made his debut on 24 February 2009 in the opening leg of the team's first knockout round tie against Spanish club Atlético Madrid. The match finished 2–2 and Porto won the tie by the same scoreline by virtue of the away goals rule.[14][15][16] In the quarterfinals, Porto faced English club Manchester United and Cissokho was tasked with the objective of containing the 2008 FIFA World Player of the Year Cristiano Ronaldo.[17] Despite putting up a strong effort in the first leg, which ended 2–2 at Old Trafford, Porto were defeated 3–2 on aggregate after losing 1–0 at the Estádio do Dragão.[18][19] On 31 May, Porto completed the league and cup double after defeating Paços de Ferreira 1–0 in the 2009 final of the Taça de Portugal. Cissokho played the entire match.[20]

Transfer saga

On 14 June 2009, Italian club Milan announced that the club had signed Cissokho, subject to medical, with a reported deal of €15 million.[21][22] Cissokho underwent his medical on 16 June, but the very next day it was revealed that he had failed it due to a problem with his teeth that could indicate potential spinal problems, and that the move was in jeopardy of collapse.[23] Later that day, Cissokho declared he had passed a second medical he undertook, and that he had, subsequently, signed a pre-contract. In the meantime, Milan tried to re-negotiate the bid on a loan basis due to Cissokho's health concerns; as the parties failed to reach an agreement, Milan general manager, Adriano Galliani, subsequently announced the deal was cancelled.[24]

Lyon

On 18 July, French club Olympique Lyonnais announced that the club had reached an agreement with Porto for the transfer of Cissokho, in a deal which equaled Milan's €15 million bid.[25] However, Porto remain eligible to receive 20% of the added value/differential value if Lyon sold him for a higher price.[26] Cissokho successfully passed his medical and agreed to a five-year contract. He was presented to the media, along with fellow new signing Michel Bastos, on 20 July and was assigned the number 20 shirt.[27]

Cissokho at his presentation at Mestalla as a Valencia player.

Cissokho was immediately inserted to the starting eleven by manager Claude Puel replacing the Italian international Fabio Grosso, who departed for Juventus. He made his debut for Lyon in the team's opening league match of the season; a 2–2 draw with Le Mans with Cissokho playing the entire match.[28] On 26 September 2009, Cissokho assisted on the equalizing goal, scored by Yannis Tafer, in the 52nd minute of a league match against Toulouse. Lyon later won the match 2–1 with a goal from Bafétimbi Gomis.[29] On 9 December, he scored his first professional goal in Lyon's 4–0 thrashing of Hungarian club Debrecen. Two weeks later, he provided his second league assist of the season on Lyon's only goal in the team's 2–1 loss to Montpellier.[30]

Valencia

On 23 August 2012, Valencia CF announced on their official website they had completed a deal to sign Cissokho for the next four seasons.,[31] for €5 million and €1 million variable and a portion of future transfer fee Valencia received.[32] He made his official debut against FC Barcelona, at an eventual 1–0 away loss . On 15 September, Cissokho's 25th birthday, he scored his first goal, which also turned out to be the winning goal, for Valencia in a 2–1 win over Celta Vigo at Mestalla.[33]

Liverpool (loan)

Cissokho challenging Cardiff City's Kenwyne Jones in 2014

On 20 August 2013, Cissokho signed for English side Liverpool on a season-long loan deal.[34] He made his Premier League debut four days later away to Aston Villa, replacing Iago Aspas in the 69th minute.[35] He was ruled out for six weeks after an injury which caused him to be taken off after ten minutes in the League Cup game against Notts County. He made his first assist for Luis Suárez's second goal in a 4–1 victory over West Bromwich Albion, via an inadvertent rebound. He soon fell out of favour after making six appearances for the senior team. Cissokho returned to first-team action, however, on 26 December against Manchester City in the absence of injured Jon Flanagan in a narrow 2–1 defeat at the City of Manchester Stadium. Cissokho made his second and final goal contribution for Liverpool at Stoke City in January, when his shot deflected off Ryan Shawcross for an own goal after 5 minutes to open a 5–3 win.

Aston Villa

On 8 August 2014, Cissokho signed a four-year deal with Premier League club Aston Villa. He impressed during his debut – the first game of the 2014–15 Premier League against Stoke City, which Villa won 1–0. On 23 August 2014, in the match against Newcastle United, an ankle injury occurred sidelining Cissokho for a week. On 20 September 2014, Cissokho registered an own goal while attempting to clear Arsenal's Kieran Gibbs' cross.. On 24 February 2015 he sustained a Groin/pelvis injury during training sidelining him for 2 months. He made a total of 27 appearances, and helped Villa reach the FA Cup Final.[36]

Loan to Porto and premature return

On 5 August 2015, Cissokho returned to Portuguese club Porto on a season-long loan. He had played for Porto for a short spell back in 2009. On 18 December, after only two appearances in the Primeira Liga, he was recalled by new Villa manager Rémi Garde – who had managed him at Lyon – to cover after Jordan Amavi was ruled out for the season, although he was not eligible to play until the new year.[37] He was eventually given squad number 43 and went straight into the starting eleven against fellow relegation candidates Sunderland in a 3-1 defeat on 2 January 2016.

International career

Due to hovering in the second division with Gueugnon, Cissokho never earned call ups with any of France's international youth teams. However, he did earn the attention of the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football who govern the Senegal national team. The federation wanted the player to play for the nation of his ancestors and Cissokho initially accepted, but lost confidence in the federation when they lost his passport and informed him that they only preferred homegrown players. After excelling in Portugal, the Senegalese Federation contacted him again, but Cissokho refused contact stating he had not made up his mind.[38] On 3 October 2009, Cissokho announced that he would be open to representing the France national team, but his main focus was currently with his new club.

On 5 November 2009, Cissokho was included in the team by coach Raymond Domenech for the team's World Cup qualification playoff round tie against the Republic of Ireland to serve as backup to Patrice Evra.[39] Cissokho described the call up as a "childhood dream".[40] He made the bench for the first match played at Croke Park in Dublin, but was an unused substitute. In the second leg, he did not make the bench as France earned a place in the 2010 FIFA World Cup. On 25 February 2010, Cissokho received his second call up to the team for the team's friendly against Spain on 3 March, but did not make an appearance. On 11 May, he was named to the 30-man preliminary list by Domenech to play in the 2010 FIFA World Cup, but failed to make the final 23.[41][42]

On 5 August 2010, Cissokho was called up to the team by new manager Laurent Blanc for the team's friendly match against Norway on 11 August. Cissokho made his international debut in the match starting and playing the full match at the left back position.

Career statistics

Club

As of 20 March 2016[43]
Club Season League Cup League Cup Continental Other[44] Total
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Gueugnon 2006–07 100010000020
2007–08 21020000000230
Total 22020100000250
Vitória 2008–09 13030002000180
Porto 2008–09 15040004000230
Lyon 2009–10 310102014100481
2010–11 29120006000371
2011–12 31040409000480
2012–13 200000001030
Total 9317060291101362
Valencia 2012–13 25240007000362
Total 25240007000362
Liverpool (loan) 2013–14 15030100000190
Aston Villa 2014–15 25020000000270
2015–16 12010000000130
Porto (loan) 2015–16 200000000020
Career total 222326080421102994

References

  1. ↑ "Premier League Clubs submit Squad Lists" (PDF). Premier League. 4 February 2014. p. 18. Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 March 2014. Retrieved 12 July 2014.
  2. ↑ "Barclays Premier League Player Profile". web page. Premier League. 2014. Retrieved 30 October 2012.
  3. 1 2 "Aly Cissokho". Union of European Football Associations. Retrieved 22 August 2010.
  4. ↑ "The complete guide to Aly Cissokho". Liverpool F.C. 20 August 2013. Retrieved 19 November 2013.
  5. ↑ "Live Commentary: Norway 2 France 1". Sky Sports. 11 August 2010. Retrieved 22 August 2010.
  6. 1 2 3 "Du Blois Foot 41 au FC Porto" (in French). Blois Maville. Retrieved 22 August 2010.
  7. ↑ "I. Cissokho signe à Nantes, K. Diop dans le viseur: colère du président de Carquefou" (in French). Nantes Maville. 12 June 2010. Retrieved 23 April 2011.
  8. ↑ "Aly Cissokho permet au Blois Foot 41 de toucher 162 500 euros" (in French). Football.fr. 10 August 2009. Retrieved 7 November 2009.
  9. ↑ "Metz v. Gueugnon Match Report" (in French). Ligue de Football Professionnel. 25 May 2007. Retrieved 22 August 2010.
  10. ↑ "Aly Cissokho" (in Portuguese). Vitória F.C. 2 June 2008. Archived from the original on 16 June 2008. Retrieved 3 June 2008.
  11. ↑ "Vitória de Guimarães v. Vitória de Setúbal Match Report". Zerozero. 22 August 2008. Retrieved 22 August 2010.
  12. ↑ "Cissokho reforça turma de Jesualdo Ferreira" (in Portuguese). 9 January 2009. Archived from the original on 10 January 2009. Retrieved 11 January 2009.
  13. ↑ "Porto v. Académica de Coimbra Match Report". Zerozero. 17 January 2009. Retrieved 22 August 2010.
  14. ↑ "Atlético Madrid v. Porto Match Report". Zerozero. 24 February 2009. Retrieved 22 August 2010.
  15. ↑ "Atletico Madrid 2–2 FC Porto". British Broadcasting Corporation. 24 February 2009. Retrieved 22 August 2010.
  16. ↑ "FC Porto 0–0 A Madrid (agg 2–2)". British Broadcasting Corporation. 11 March 2009. Retrieved 22 August 2010.
  17. ↑ Mole, Giles (15 April 2009). "Porto v Manchester United: Cristiano Ronaldo holds no fear for Aly Cissokho". The Daily Telegraph. UK. Retrieved 22 August 2010.
  18. ↑ Winter, Henry (15 April 2009). "Porto snatch draw at Manchester United". The Daily Telegraph. UK. Archived from the original on 25 September 2010. Retrieved 22 August 2010.
  19. ↑ Winter, Henry (15 April 2009). "Cristiano Ronaldo superstrike sends Manchester United through to face Arsenal". The Daily Telegraph. UK. Retrieved 22 August 2010.
  20. ↑ "FC Porto win Taca de Portugal". Soccerway. 31 May 2009. Retrieved 22 August 2010.
  21. ↑ "Aly Cissokho tonight in Milan". A.C. Milan. 14 June 2009. Retrieved 15 June 2009.
  22. ↑ "Cissokho finally seals Milan deal". FourFourTwo. 17 June 2009. Retrieved 22 August 2010.
  23. ↑ "Cissokho deal under threat". Sky Sports. 17 June 2009. Archived from the original on 19 June 2009. Retrieved 17 June 2009.
  24. ↑ "Cissokho move to Milan cancelled". FourFourTwo. 18 June 2009. Retrieved 22 August 2010.
  25. ↑ "Lyon lure Cissokho from Porto". Union of European Football Associations. 18 July 2010. Retrieved 22 August 2010.
  26. ↑ "COMUNICADO" [Communication] (PDF) (in Portuguese). FC Porto. 18 June 2009. Retrieved 18 August 2011.
  27. ↑ "Présentation de M.Bastos et A.Cissokho". Olympique Lyonnais. 20 July 2010. Retrieved 22 August 2010.
  28. ↑ "Le Mans v.Lyon Match Report" (in French). Ligue de Football Professionnel. 8 August 2009. Retrieved 22 August 2010.
  29. ↑ "Lyon v. Toulouse Match Report" (in French). Ligue de Football Professionnel. 26 September 2009. Retrieved 22 August 2010.
  30. ↑ "Lyon v. Montpellier Match Report" (in French). Ligue de Football Professionnel. 23 December 2009. Retrieved 22 August 2010.
  31. ↑ "Aly Cissokho signs for Valencia". valenciacf. 23 August 2012.
  32. ↑ http://www.actusnews.com/documents_communiques/ACTUS-0-29249-cp-ol-groupe-100912.pdf
  33. ↑ "Aly Cissokho's birthday gift". valenciacf. 15 September 2012.
  34. ↑ "Aly Cissokho: Liverpool sign Valencia left-back on loan" BBC Sport. 20 August 2013. Retrieved 20 August 2013.
  35. ↑ "Red-hot Sturridge seals dogged victory over stubborn hosts". Daily Mail. 24 August 2013. Retrieved 26 August 2013.
  36. ↑ "Arsenal 4 Aston Villa 0". BBC Sport. 30 May 2015. Retrieved 3 June 2015.
  37. ↑ "Aston Villa recall Aly Cissokho from Porto". BBC Sport. 18 December 2015. Retrieved 18 December 2015.
  38. ↑ "Cissokho turns down Senegal". Sky Sports. 3 October 2009. Retrieved 22 August 2010.
  39. ↑ "France name squad for Republic of Ireland clash". Extra Footie. 5 November 2009. Retrieved 22 August 2010.
  40. ↑ "Cissokho: "Un rêve d'enfant"" (in French). French Football Federation. 6 November 2009. Retrieved 22 August 2010.
  41. ↑ "Vieira and Benzema left out". FIFA. 11 May 2010. Retrieved 22 August 2010.
  42. ↑ "Domenech picks Marseille's Valbuena but leaves Ben Arfa behind". France24. 17 May 2010. Retrieved 22 August 2010.
  43. ↑ "Aly Cissokho". Football Database. Retrieved 29 April 2014.
  44. ↑ Includes other competitive competitions, including the Trophée des champions, UEFA Super Cup, Intercontinental Cup, FIFA Club World Cup

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