Aly Cissokho has quashed speculation surrounding his future by stating how happy he is at Porto.
Full-back delighted to have reached the big time
Aly Cissokho has quashed speculation surrounding his future by stating how happy he is at Porto.
The full-back has enjoyed a meteoric rise to prominence in the last 12 months, trading life in the French second division for that in the UEFA Champions League.
The 21-year-old was plying his trade with FC Gueugnon at this point last year, before securing a summer switch to Vitoria Setubal.
He made such a positive impression during his first five months in Portugal that Liga giants Porto snapped him up during the January transfer window.
His progression has continued at Estadio do Dragao and he has quickly established himself as Jesualdo Ferreira's first choice left-back.
Unsurprisingly his performances have caught the attention of a host of Europe's top clubs, but the talented youngster has moved quickly to dispel any suggestion that he could be on the move once again.
"This is something else for me," Cissokho told Uefa's
official website.
Opportunity
"I've just arrived at Porto, it's my first time at a big club, and it's a long way away from the level where I started in France.
"In January, I had the chance to sign for Porto and with it the opportunity to play in the Champions League.
"You have to raise your level straight away and it's not easy. It's the top level. You're playing against international players, the best players in the world, so you have to have twice as much concentration as before."
Cissokho was part of the Porto side that claimed an impressive 2-2 draw at Manchester United in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final on Tuesday, and he believes anything is now possible.
"There are some big teams in the competition," he said.
"There are lots of English teams in there, who are always difficult to play against, so we have to get ready to put in a big performance so we can qualify for the semi-finals."
