The arrival of Ibrahim Cissé from Dunkirk this summer at the very end of the transfer window had brought about some difficulties: the desire of the northern club not to let him leave without saying anything, a transfer more expensive than expected for the SM Caen and a validation of the contract more than on the wire. All these adventures are now a long way off and this departure has not damaged relations between Ibrahim Cissé and his former club.
“It didn’t happen in real life as reported in the media, explains the Caen defender. There are things that happened but in the end, it ended well. And I’m on good terms with them. There’s no problem. Besides, you will see it in the return match (to smile).“
It is now easy to understand why Stade Malherbe insisted and took out the checkbook for their slender player. In eleven games, he imposed himself at the heart of the Caen defense like his match Monday night against AC Ajaccio (2-0).
I read the races of the opponents well. One-on-one and speed are my strengths.
“Without the ball, I’m a fast boy, portrays Ibrahim Cissé. I read the races of the opponents well. One-on-one and speed are my strengths, quite simply. I like to break the line with the ball and hit with the ball. That’s how I describe myself and that’s how I think people see me.”
Her favorite move? “The defensive returnsays without hesitation Ibrahim Cissé. Or else cut the races in depth. When I anticipate what the opponent will do. This is what makes the difference at the top level. With or without the ball, the most important thing is to be one step ahead of the opponent.”
If he does not consider himself the boss of the defense, the fact remains that it is on him that rests the responsibility of coordinating the Caen defensive block.
Naturally, this position makes me communicate more than the others.
“I also like to speak well and manage the defense well. I am in a strategic position. I am in the middle [de la défense à trois]. You have to communicate well. I have to align well with others and organize well what is happening in front of me. Naturally, this position makes me communicate more than the others.”
Ibrahim Cissé is a boy who knows what he wants. He came to Caen for the club project with a very specific request. “Playing in the center was the condition. Basically, I’m known as a versatile player. Now I want to be known as a central defender. That’s where I’m the best and it’s up to me to prove it. “
I have always played outside with my friends and then with the club in my town, the Lilas. I took myself seriously late.
This aplomb and this confidence are essential according to him. “On the pitch, you have to show the opponents that you are better than them, continues Ibrahim Cissé. You can’t be unsure of yourself, especially in a strategic position. It must first spring on the collective and then it must spring on the adversary. It’s important to be sure of yourself.”
At 25, Ibrahim Cissé has exceeded one hundred Ligue 2 games (113) even if he only realized later that he could become a top player.
“I always played outside with my friends then with the club of my city, the Lilacs. I took myself seriously late. Once I saw that I had qualities, I went for it. Generally the players really get into it from the start at the age of six or even earlier. For me, it was from the under-thirteen years that I saw that I had qualities. I saw that clubs were interested in me That’s really where I started working towards becoming a professional player.”
Ibrahim Cissé quickly caught up on his “delay.” He was eighteen when he signed a contract and played his first matches in Ligue 2 with Tours.
Before these first professional steps in Touraine, the Lilac native played with PSG as a youth player. The pedigree of his team also fueled his ambition and his desire to perform.
“I was in national U17s with a big generation. Frankly, I’m proud of it. For me, I just have to continue. We had a great team. I see that everyone has succeeded and that’s a pleasure. From my age, there was for example Moussa Dembélé who plays in Lyon, Kingsley Coman who plays at Bayern. From the 95 generation, there is Presnel Kimpembe, Adrien Rabiot, Hervin Ongenda, Mike Maignan… We had a big generation “We can see it today, they are quite simply at the top level. I have kept in touch especially with Ferland Mendy and Roli Pereira. Afterwards, we see each other from afar with the others.”
It is in Tours that he will finally form. He played more than sixty games there in Ligue 2. And after four seasons, he climbed a new step in the summer of 2018. He was then 22 years old. He joined Ligue 1 and the SCO D’Angers of a certain Olivier Pickeu and Stéphane Moulin. This is where his progress will experience a big setback.
Leaving for Dunkirk, I played more than thirty games and I signed for Caen. The bet was successful.
“I broke my ankle during the last or penultimate preparation match. I didn’t play for a season. I came back well but the team was doing well. That’s why I left loan [au Paris FC où il n’a joué que huit matchs]. After a year and a half without playing, I preferred to start from scratch.
This is why I preferred to sign at Dunkirk. It’s frustrating but today I take it differently, in a positive way. It’s not jargon. I might have played for Angers, but the most important thing is to play all thirty games and be consistent for a whole season. Finally, leaving for Dunkirk, I played more than thirty games and I signed for Caen. The bet paid off.”
It is all this career that has forged the character and the game of Ibrahim Cissé. It fuels his desire to see higher with SM Caen and his teammates.