Irfan rules out backing Cissokho deal, prioritises central midfield
Aly Cissokho, 39, is on trial at Kelantan Red Warrior, but the coach considers the former Liverpool left-back too slow.
A trial at Kelantan Red Warrior has not persuaded head coach Irfan Bakti Abu Salim to support signing Aly Cissokho. Irfan said the 39-year-old defender was too slow and beyond his best, while identifying central midfield as the position he wanted to strengthen.
The comments followed Kelantan's 5-2 loss to Star City at Sultan Muhammad IV Stadium. According to Irfan, a Brazilian player was also training with the team, and the club had already identified possible recruits. He favoured continuing with his young players over bringing in Cissokho.
Irfan also singled out Faiz Nasir and Muhaimin Izzudin when criticising his midfielders' tendency to dribble rather than shoot. He said holding the ball and pulling it back had cost them shooting opportunities.
Cissokho's playing record includes a France cap in 2010 and 19 Liverpool appearances in the 2013-14 Premier League season, when Brendan Rodgers was manager. He played more than 50 matches for Aston Villa and helped Lyon reach the UEFA Champions League semi-finals in 2010.
The left-back also won league titles with Porto and Olympiacos. More recently, his career has taken him to Thai clubs Lamphun Warriors and Muangthong United.
