Wednesday, March 27, 2002
Cisse is all the talk at Anfield
By John Edwards
<a href="http://www.soccernet.com/england/news/2002/0327/20020327lfccisse.html" target="_blank">http://www.soccernet.com/england/news/2002/0327/20020327lfccisse.html</a>
Gerard Houllier has stolen a march on his illustrious rivals for Djibril Cisse's £15million signature and is confident of landing the new sensation of French football in time for next season.
Auxerre coach Guy Roux confirmed to Soccernet that Liverpool's fit-again manager had been in regular contact about Cisse and was in pole position to see off competition from Real Madrid, Barcelona, Juventus and AC Milan.
In a revealing insight into Houllier's dogged pursuit of the free-scoring France Under 21 striker, Roux said: 'Gerard and I speak all the time, and it does not usually take him long to get round to the subject of Djibril. He is a big admirer of the boy and is always asking about him.'
The veteran Auxerre coach, renowned for developing one of the most productive youth systems in Europe, has so far resisted all attempts to lure Cisse away from the Stade de l'Abbe Deschamps.
However, he is expected to reconsider at the end of the season and seems certain to point his latest protege towards Mersey-side following an appraisal of the 20-year-old that can only heighten optimism within Anfield.
Roux said: 'I do not want to lose Djibril and will keep him here as long as I can, for his sake as well as ours. When he does go, I will make sure he chooses the club and type of football that will be of most benefit to his career.
'If I had to make a decision now, I would tell him to go to England. The Premiership would be good for him. I have noticed that teams often defend in a line rather than with a sweeper.
'He would be unstoppable under those circumstances. With his pace, he would be one of the most destructive strikers in the English game.'
Spanish reports of a recent bid by Real were dismissed by Roux, while Fulham manager Jean Tigana's hopes of pairing Cisse with Steve Marlet next season also appear doomed, given the quality of the field chasing one of Europe's most wanted strikers.
Roux outlined his opposition to cashing in on his most prized discovery but hinted that Houllier could yet talk him round.
'Why should we take the money now?' he said. 'From a purely financial point of view his value will rise the more he makes his mark on our domestic league and forces his way into the senior France side.
'At the moment, I believe he would be better off spending two more seasons with us rather than going to a big club and sitting on the bench every week. We have not received a bid from Liverpool, or anyone else, but Gerard and I are good friends and talk on the phone frequently.
'The discussion tends to come round to the same subject, sooner or later, and there is no denying that Djibril's game would flourish in the English league.'
After hearing that Houllier had watched him in the recent 3-2 win over Metz, Cisse said: 'English football would suit my style and I have a slight preference for Liverpool
Cisse is all the talk at Anfield
By John Edwards
<a href="http://www.soccernet.com/england/news/2002/0327/20020327lfccisse.html" target="_blank">http://www.soccernet.com/england/news/2002/0327/20020327lfccisse.html</a>
Gerard Houllier has stolen a march on his illustrious rivals for Djibril Cisse's £15million signature and is confident of landing the new sensation of French football in time for next season.
Auxerre coach Guy Roux confirmed to Soccernet that Liverpool's fit-again manager had been in regular contact about Cisse and was in pole position to see off competition from Real Madrid, Barcelona, Juventus and AC Milan.
In a revealing insight into Houllier's dogged pursuit of the free-scoring France Under 21 striker, Roux said: 'Gerard and I speak all the time, and it does not usually take him long to get round to the subject of Djibril. He is a big admirer of the boy and is always asking about him.'
The veteran Auxerre coach, renowned for developing one of the most productive youth systems in Europe, has so far resisted all attempts to lure Cisse away from the Stade de l'Abbe Deschamps.
However, he is expected to reconsider at the end of the season and seems certain to point his latest protege towards Mersey-side following an appraisal of the 20-year-old that can only heighten optimism within Anfield.
Roux said: 'I do not want to lose Djibril and will keep him here as long as I can, for his sake as well as ours. When he does go, I will make sure he chooses the club and type of football that will be of most benefit to his career.
'If I had to make a decision now, I would tell him to go to England. The Premiership would be good for him. I have noticed that teams often defend in a line rather than with a sweeper.
'He would be unstoppable under those circumstances. With his pace, he would be one of the most destructive strikers in the English game.'
Spanish reports of a recent bid by Real were dismissed by Roux, while Fulham manager Jean Tigana's hopes of pairing Cisse with Steve Marlet next season also appear doomed, given the quality of the field chasing one of Europe's most wanted strikers.
Roux outlined his opposition to cashing in on his most prized discovery but hinted that Houllier could yet talk him round.
'Why should we take the money now?' he said. 'From a purely financial point of view his value will rise the more he makes his mark on our domestic league and forces his way into the senior France side.
'At the moment, I believe he would be better off spending two more seasons with us rather than going to a big club and sitting on the bench every week. We have not received a bid from Liverpool, or anyone else, but Gerard and I are good friends and talk on the phone frequently.
'The discussion tends to come round to the same subject, sooner or later, and there is no denying that Djibril's game would flourish in the English league.'
After hearing that Houllier had watched him in the recent 3-2 win over Metz, Cisse said: 'English football would suit my style and I have a slight preference for Liverpool
