davieG Posted 1 June 2005 Posted 1 June 2005 Levein Hails New Arrival City boss Craig Levein says new signing Momo Sylla has got what it takes to be a big hit at the Walkers Stadium. Sylla joined the Foxes from Celtic today after penning a three-year contract with the club. The 28-year old has played in a variety of positions throughout his career, including right-midfield, right-back, centre midfield and striker. And Levein confirmed that Sylla's versatility would be a big plus as he continues to build a squad to challenge for Championship honours next season. He said: "What I really like about Momo is the fact that he is a really good football player. He's quick and very fit. "The thing that really appealed to me was his versatility. During his time at St Johnstone he played in a number of different positions. "Our squad will probably only consist of 20 players next season and because of that we are definitely going to be hit with injuries and suspensions at some point." Sylla spent a season at McDiarmid Park with the Saints before joining Celtic for £650,000, and went on to make 79 appearances during a four-year stint in Glasgow. Levein added: "He's got a lot going for him. He's 28, which is a great age, and he hasn't played a lot of football recently which means he will be hungry and desperate to get back and prove himself. And of course he has versatility on his side. "I don't want to play him in all these different positions and we hope that he will play on the right hand side of midfield initially. But because we decided to go down this route of not going with a big squad and trying to get quality we are obviously going to be short of bodies. "I am sure Momo will be a great acquisition for us and will be a player that the fans will enjoy to watch." Source OS
davieG Posted 1 June 2005 Author Posted 1 June 2005 Momo Up For The Challenge New signing Momo Sylla says he has joined Leicester City with one thing on his mind - the Premiership. The Guinea international competed a free transfer move from Celtic to the Walkers Stadium today - putting pen to paper on a three-year deal. And the 28-year-old sighted his want to play at the highest level in England as the motivation behind his move. He said: "I spoke to the manager at length and he made my mind up for me. I like a challenge and I believe Leicester can go up into the Premiership. That's where I want to play. "I came down to Leicester for a couple of days at the end of the season to get to know the staff and the players. I liked what I saw. "I have had four happy years at Celtic but it was time for a new challenge. That's why I am here." Sylla joined Celtic for £650,000 following an impressive spell at St Johnstone, and can turn his hand to a number of positions on the field. He added: "My best position is wide on the right, but I didn't really get the chance to play there at Celtic because they play a 3-5-2 formation. I have also played as a striker and in the middle of the park for my country. But next season I hope to be playing on the right wing. "I know Mark de Vries and Alan Maybury from my time up in Scotland and they are good players. The manager is building a quality squad here and I am now really looking forward to the start of the season."
Ric Flair Posted 1 June 2005 Posted 1 June 2005 Pleased to see that this lads best position is right wing, a position I was worried about after the departure of Gillespie. It's also interesting to hear that he felt he was hindered a little bit because Celtic always played 3-5-2, which indicates that he really is an out and out winger. I'm pleased Levein has secured some signings early on in pre-season as I hate it when teams panic buy near the end of July.
Fox in a Box Posted 1 June 2005 Posted 1 June 2005 I'm happy with CL's aquisitions so far and well, the Squad and Management will be judged on there perfomances. MON didnt win a game in 12 when he started bu the had a knack of finding good quality at knock down prices. At team only a year or two ago close to being wound up can't splash the cash like it used too. Momo good luck from all the fans... dont get on his case before he has even kicked a ball. :fox: Time will tell. I predict a top 6 finish, due to one fact HUNGRY PLAYERS! wanting success
Chimp Posted 1 June 2005 Posted 1 June 2005 [..] He added: "My best position is wide on the right, but I didn't really get the chance to play there at Celtic because they play a 3-5-2 formation. I have also played as a striker and in the middle of the park for my country. But next season I hope to be playing on the right wing. 118015[/snapback] He wouldn't be saying these things unless he'd talked about it with CL... so it looks like we have the right winger/midfielder we've been wanting. Hopefully he'll prove useful and keep fit which means that Hughes can move back into the centre. Excellent news.
supedaj Posted 1 June 2005 Posted 1 June 2005 indeed - nalis and hughes were no good near the wings. Lets hope Momo can get some good crosses in, is he a quick person at all? Has anyone actually seen him in action? he doesnt look very strong/built i notice..
Scarby Posted 1 June 2005 Posted 1 June 2005 Im happy with this!! like what has been said he is pacey and i think will turn out good in this division...but less thna average in the prem maybe ...i dont know only time will tell
Ric Flair Posted 1 June 2005 Posted 1 June 2005 I've seen him play a few times and I wouldn't say he's an out and out winger, but then again i've never seen him play on the wing and if he was playing out of position perhaps he is?! I always thought he was a centre half/right back, but it appears he's not. He's very quick, abit lanky and strange looking when he's on the ball but I think he can do well down here.
Simon Posted 1 June 2005 Posted 1 June 2005 He sounds like a decent signing for this level, and I'm glad to see we've filled the right wing position. It does raise some questions about central midfield though. With the acquisition of Kisnorbo what's going to happen with Williams as presumably Hughes will now play centre-mid?
Ric Flair Posted 1 June 2005 Posted 1 June 2005 He sounds like a decent signing for this level, and I'm glad to see we've filled the right wing position.It does raise some questions about central midfield though. With the acquisition of Kisnorbo what's going to happen with Williams as presumably Hughes will now play centre-mid? 118050[/snapback] Competition for places. I imagine first choice will be Hughes and Kisnorbo with Williams on the bench. Gudjonsson will be further down the pecking order. Remember it's a 46 game season and with Sylla likely to be playing all over the shop I think Hughes will often find himself on the right or left with Williams coming in to the centre of midfield. It might make Williams step up that extra gear that's needed for him to be a class player.
Ric Flair Posted 1 June 2005 Posted 1 June 2005 According to teamtalk, we've paid £100,000 for Sylla!
Collymore Posted 1 June 2005 Posted 1 June 2005 According to teamtalk, we've paid £100,000 for Sylla! 118064[/snapback] 50 times less than Akinbadbuyi
Fox in a Box Posted 1 June 2005 Posted 1 June 2005 We have paid nothing for him. He was told by MON he was surplus...... Teamtalk no how to spin a Yarn.. I hope I aint offended you HOOF?!!
We need another Taggart Posted 1 June 2005 Posted 1 June 2005 i thought kisnorbo played right full back?
Alexikokopops Posted 1 June 2005 Posted 1 June 2005 i thought kisnorbo played right full back? 118073[/snapback] He's a Centre-back/defensive midfielder first, but can play right back too, and was played left back a few times too but was pretty poor there apparantly. That's what I've gathered from reading bits here and there anyway.
Ric Flair Posted 1 June 2005 Posted 1 June 2005 We have paid nothing for him. He was told by MON he was surplus...... Teamtalk no how to spin a Yarn.. I hope I aint offended you HOOF?!! 118068[/snapback] Jolly good. Nope, you've not offended young man.
We need another Taggart Posted 1 June 2005 Posted 1 June 2005 i thought kisnorbo played right full back? 118073[/snapback] He's a Centre-back/defensive midfielder first, but can play right back too, and was played left back a few times too but was pretty poor there apparantly. That's what I've gathered from reading bits here and there anyway. 118074[/snapback] looks like were getting in a few players that can play all over the park, i read that levein is looking for a much smaller squad which will allow much better quality players. sounds good to me. looking forward to seeing hughes in centre mid.
Foxes_Trust Posted 1 June 2005 Posted 1 June 2005 i thought kisnorbo played right full back? 118073[/snapback] He's a Centre-back/defensive midfielder first, but can play right back too, and was played left back a few times too but was pretty poor there apparantly. That's what I've gathered from reading bits here and there anyway. 118074[/snapback] Craig said at the Trust AGM that Kisnorbo can play in a variety of positions, but he sees him as the holding midfielder player that we were missing in the current squad.
foxilescom Posted 1 June 2005 Posted 1 June 2005 Official site has our Guinea International, down as Nationality French ? http://www.lcfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Match...74~7058,00.html
Ric Flair Posted 1 June 2005 Posted 1 June 2005 Official site has our Guinea International, down as Nationality French ?http://www.lcfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Match...74~7058,00.html 118100[/snapback] It's abit of a mystery. Apparently he's played for Ivory Coast, yet he's also classed as a Guinean International and the OS reckon he's french? What's going on. I know he's versatile, but this is taking the piss!
Newcastle_Fox Posted 1 June 2005 Posted 1 June 2005 Good signing I reckon, hoepfully a shrewd move from Levein and he turns out to be a really good player
TrickyTrev Posted 1 June 2005 Posted 1 June 2005 "What I really like about Momo is the fact that he is a really good football player." Well, we didn't think you signed players for anything else Craig!
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