Media 12 August 2023, 08:20

Mohammed Salisu: "We have a very good and young team"

As Monaco's second summer recruit, the Ghanaian international central defender, who arrived in the Principality on August 1, spoke for the first time during his presentation to the press, along with his teammate Philipp Köhn.

He was well-supported in the auditorium of the Performance Center, to deliver his first impressions to the media. Having arrived ten days ago at AS Monaco, Mohammed Salisu was presented alongside his new teammate Philipp Köhn this Friday afternoon. Accompanied by Director of Football, Thiago Scuro, the Ghanaian central defender answered the questions of the journalists gathered. 🎙

Hello everyone. It is a pleasure to be in front of you again, to introduce you to Mohammed and Philipp, our two new players. We thank them for joining our project and sharing our ambition. We wish them the best for the future within AS Monaco.

Thiago ScuroAS Monaco's Director of Football

On playing in Ligue 1

Good morning. I think the French league is one of the top leagues in Europe. Here there are a lot of young talents, very good players. Ligue 1 is therefore of very high quality and I am eager to discover it, as soon as I am 100% ready.

On joining AS Monaco

Last season was difficult for me, I had some physical issues, but now I’m at a new club and AS Monaco is my priority. We have a very good and young team, with great qualities. So I think we have the ingredients to progress, to achieve better results than last year and achieve our goals together.

𝐍𝐨𝐦 : Salisu
𝐏𝐫𝐞́𝐧𝐨𝐦 : Mohammed
𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐞́ : Ghana
𝐀̂𝐠𝐞 : 24 ans
𝐂𝐥𝐮𝐛 : AS Monaco 🆕#WelcomeMohammed pic.twitter.com/WP2nJMycJn

— AS Monaco 🇲🇨 (@AS_Monaco) August 2, 2023

Currently I am working hard on a daily basis to be ready as soon as possible and to be available to the coach and the squad. My goal is to get back in shape fairly quickly, but above all to stay in shape for the long term.

Mohammed SalisuAS Monaco central defender

On his physical preparation

It’s true that I haven’t played for a few months, but I did the preparation with my previous club, Southampton, with whom I participated in two matches. Currently I am working hard on a daily basis to be ready as soon as possible and to be available to the coach and the squad. My goal is to get back in shape fairly quickly, but above all to stay in shape for the long term.

Playing with three at the back

I am able to play in both systems, with three or four defenders. My preferred position? To be honest, I’m more used to playing as a left-sided central defender, that’s where I played with Southampton. But I can also play centrally in a three-man defense. At the end of the day, no matter where I start, I want, above all, to be available to the coach and his needs.

He has played in several positions so far. In modern football, players are more and more used to playing in several positions. The team's game plan is quite similar to what he experienced in his former team. He is also capable of playing in four at the back.

Thiago ScuroOn the team's system of play

The 2022 World Cup

For me it was a great feeling to play this World Cup. Especially since I had the chance to score a goal in the group stage against South Korea (in a 3-2 win). It is a great point of pride for me and a great honor to have participated in it. I must say that looking back, it was one of the best experiences of my life.