Lyon’s Aly Cissokho has been linked with a move to the Premier League a number of times over the last month or so, but his name appears most commonly in conjunction with a projected move to Newcastle. The player himself has been quick to dispel any rumours, but this of course hasn’t stopped the media rumour-mill from turning over. Speaking to L’Equipe, Cissokho said:
“There is nothing concrete so far. I will talk with the technical staff this week. Since the last transfer market there have been a lot of rumours, but I haven’t taken any notice.”
Any reports that he’s on his way to Newcastle then can’t claim to be objectively true. What’s more, when questioned as to whether he regretted not making a move to St James’ Park last summer, he replied:
“No, why should I? I am happy to be here. I am in the starting XI of a club that plays in the Champions League, with a coach that trusts me. I am not in a situation where I don’t play.”
Fair enough, but this is a position that Newcastle need to address sooner rather than later, so I doubt that this is the last we’ll hear concerning this rumour.
Cissokho was great for Lyon last year, but since then injuries and inconsistency have snuck into his game and he doesn’t look like the player he was. His form may be in the toilet, but this may well only serve to drive down his price-tag as Pardew initiates another transfer masterstroke. Though he may not be Jose Enrique (who Newcastle let go for much too little) he’s a step up on poor old James Perch.
It’s clear that Newcastle need to assess this area of the pitch in January, along with the centre-back and forward positions, but whether Pardew will have the funds to make the appropriate changes remains to be seen.
Cissokho may well be a gamble, but it’s a gamble that could pay off big-time if Newcastle got their way. After all, we’re constantly wittering on about how form is temporary and class is permanent and it’s clear that Aly is a class act. With new surroundings and a new challenge, Cissokho could really take his career to the next level and start pushing for a permanent place in the French national side.
But what’s your take? Has Aly Cissokho missed his opportunity to make it as a Newcastle player? Should Alan Pardew look elsewhere?
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I hope we dont bother. It would be beneficial to get someone who is in some kind of form rather than out of form which we then have to build them up which takes time. Or on the cheap because of injury, yes sometimes this works but its like buying a car that has had a lot of troubles but it might be ok.Would like a buy and play player not player with attitude or injury concerns. Cheap is not always reliable.