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When it was announced recently that Yaya Tore had signed a new contract to extend his stay at Man City, team-mates and pundits alike took to the press to express their admiration for the 34-year-old.
Toure’s City colleague Raheem Sterling was particularly impressed with the news. “The way he controls the game is brilliant and he is so composed on the ball,” he said.
“He can play wherever and whenever he wants. He’s a machine.” Continue reading
Thus far Pep Guardiola’s managerial reign of Manchester City has been characterised by extremely bold decision making in terms of both his team selection and reshaping of the club’s squad.
Quintet fall out of favour with Guardiola
In addition to only playing Yaya Toure in one of his team’s five competitive games this season, despite the Ivorian being consistently influential for Manchester City since joining them from Barcelona in 2010, Guardiola has also dropped Eliaquim Mangala from his squad, after deeming the 25-year-old, who the club signed from Porto for £32m in August 2014, to be surplus to his requirements.
Subsequently Guardiola has also allowed Mangala along with the experienced trio of Wilfried Bony, Joe Hart and Samir Nasri to leave the club temporarily, as the 45-year-old manager has acted decisively to redesign his squad, which he has strengthened by signing a quintet of players who each have the potential to become key players for Manchester City during the current season.
Guardiola’s new recruits
In total the club have paid out just over £117.1m in transfer fees, which has enabled Guardiola to recruit Claudio Bravo, IIkay Gundogan, Nolito, Leroy Sane and John Stones, as the Spaniard endeavours to engineer a team capable of winning both domestic honours and the Champions League.
City’s impressive start to the season
At present Guardiola is making excellent progress towards doing that, as in addition to enjoying a perfect start in the Premier League by winning their first three games of the season, City also qualified for the group stages of the Champions League courtesy of an emphatic 6-0 play-off round aggregate victory over Steaua Bucharest 6-0.
Hart heads list of departures
Despite playing in the second leg of that tie, Joe Hart has now been loaned out to Torino for the remainder of this season, with Guardiola making the bold decision of selecting Claudio Bravo and Wily Cabellero as his two main goalkeeping options for the current campaign. After having made 348 appearances for Manchester City, for whom he signed from Shrewsbury in 2006, Hart’s future undoubtedly lies away from the club since Guardiola perceives the 63-times capped England internationalist as being unable to develop into the type of sweeper – keeper, which the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager desires to have in his team.
Three other players who are not to feature in that this season are Wilfried Bony, Eliaquim Mangala and Samir Nasri, who have joined Swansea City, Valencia and Sevilla respectively on season – long loan deals.
Guardiola ingeniously reshapes City squad
Those, along with Joe Hart’s move to Torino, were all completed on transfer deadline day, after Guardiola had signed each of his primary transfer targets.
Given that the Catalan has logically reshaped his squad over the course of this summer, by initially recruiting new players, before allowing others whom he deemed surplus to his requirements to leave.
In the process of doing so Guardiola has made some brave and bold decisions, but the early signs are that they will yield very profitable dividends for City during his first season in charge of the club.
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Manchester City’s fans might be forgiven for celebrating not getting Barcelona or Bayern Munich in the draw for the quarter-finals of the Champions League; however, the Citizens got what is considered by many as the third best team, perhaps along with Real Madrid, in the shape of French champions Paris Saint-Germain (PSG).
City’s season has been similar to a roller coaster with several dramatic falls followed by uplifting results. For instance, in the Champions League group stage, City lost twice to Serie A leaders Juventus yet ended up topping the group after the Italian champions misfired against Sevilla.
The Citizens are currently fourth in the Premier League, yet they are separated by a mere point from city rivals Manchester United. City’s domestic form has been so inconsistent, with injuries playing a fair share in Manchester’s inability to properly challenge for the EPL crown. Argentina striker Sergio Aguero has struggled to remain fit yet he also produced whenever he was able to play to highlight his importance to manager Manuel Pellegrini’s tactics and game plan.
Another player who has been sorely missed for the majority of the season is defender and team captain Vincent Kompany who has only played in 13 Premier League games. As further proof to how important he is to the team, the Citizens kept 9 clean sheets in the 13 leagues appearances made by Kompany. He will definitely be missed against PSG.
City’s main strength is in midfield with the likes of Kevin de Bruyne, who returned to action last weekend following a spell on the sidelines due to injury, and David Silva pulling the strings with the powerful Ivorian midfielder Yaya Toure providing the drive and impetus when charging forward.
However, the fate of this two-legged tie might not be in the hands of City’s players but might rather lie in PSG’s equally star studded lineup. The French champions are led by Swedish superstar Zlatan Ibrahimovic who is having one of his best seasons ever. Zlatan has already scored 30 goals and provided 11 assists in 26 league games. For the critics who claim he is achieving the remarkable numbers in a relatively easier league, Zlatan has also delivered on the European scene this season. He scored 4 goals and provided 3 assists in 8 Champions League games, including 2 goals and an assist against EPL side Chelsea.
Ibrahimovic is not the only key player on this PSG side, as Ángel Di María is having a remarkable season himself. Ángel has scored 9 times in the French League and delivered 12 assists to his teammates. The Argentine midfielder has also delivered in Europe with 3 goals and 2 assists in 8 Champions League games.
Uruguayan striker Edinson Cavani can also score goals and is a wanted man by a host of big European teams. Both PSG and Ibrahimovic have never won the famous trophy with the big ears, as it is fondly called, but PSG’s players might view this as the right moment to reach the latter stages and deliver the Champions League to the city of Paris. Moreover, for Zlatan this might be his last chance to go far in the famous competition depending on whether he leaves PSG, and perhaps Europe, to join the American Major League Soccer (MLS) or the Chinese League.
In this highly anticipated European tie, PSG might have the slight edge, but to rule out City could be a mistake. The return leg will be played in England and this has been the kind of season during which the Citizens have experienced both the highs and the lows of football!
The appointment of Pep Guardiola as Manchester City manager was never going to be a good one for Yaya Toure; the Spaniard sold the Ivorian midfielder in his time as Barcelona manager.
It’s clear that Guardiola prefers playing a defensive midfielder alongside two diminutive creators that offer slick passing and movement, a la Andres Iniesta, Xavi, Douglas Costa etc. Toure doesn’t really fit the bill.
So the 32-year-old is likely to be seeking pastures new in the summer and the early indications show that a surprise destination has been touted.
The clubs in the Chinese Super League have been throwing their cash around of late, and reports suggest that Toure could be lured to the Far East by an anticipated £30m-a-year deal. The midfielder’s excessive wage demands should prove no obstacle to the cash-rich Chinese footballing hierarchy, who appear ready to double his current £240,000 weekly pay packet.
Such a transfer might raise a few eyebrows, but it is clear that football in China is on the up – and you only need to look at the recent transfer dealings for evidence of that. While emerging football nations such as the USA and India are tempting talent who are perhaps past their best, players in their prime are making the journey eastwards.
Jackson Martinez was linked to a transfer to Arsenal as recently as the summer for example, but he has now joined Guangzhou Evergrande for a rumoured £30m fee. He will join former Chelsea man Ramires in China, who recently signed for Jiangsu Suning for £20m, and the ex Serie A pair of Gervinho and Fredy Guarin, who will ply their trade for Hebei China Fortune Shanghai Shenhua respectively.
It sounds fanciful, but guess which country spent the most money in the winter transfer window. That’s right: China – more than £200m to be precise.
This all fits into President Xi Jinping’s vision of China as an emerging sporting heavyweight; and these recent transfers could well be just the beginning.
Ageing players have never been shy of seeking one last pay cheque – the MLS in the 1970s was rife with this (as it is now to a lesser extent), and so stars like John Terry and Francesco Totti might look to the Far East to bring the curtain down on their careers.
But there appears to be a sea-change here: Martinez, Guarin, Ramires and Gervinho are all in their late twenties, and arguably the prime of their footballing lives. Perhaps this will start the trend of players clearly lacking in ambition moving to cash-rich but reputation-poor destinations.
Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure capped a brilliant upturn in form this season with the winning goal against Norwich City on the weekend to ensure the Sky Blues remained at the summit. The Ivorian international coolly slotted his spot-kick past Norwich goalkeeper John Ruddy to make it six goals scored and created in 10 league games in 2015/16, and many people forget he’s now 32 years of age.
Toure is among the shortlisted names for the African Player of the Year, and he’s favourite to make it five wins after having led his country to the African Nations Cup this year. The Manchester City box-to-box midfielder has been criticised at times in the last season, but looks back to form with the league leaders this campaign, and deserves praise for maintaining such high levels of performances with his advanced age.
The experienced midfielder singled out manager Manuel Pellegrini as the chief reason he stayed at the club in the summer, saying: “I’ve stayed because of Manuel. He always talks to me, giving me some piece of advice. He has been aware of my life off the pitch. He has been like a father to me in difficult moments. I have never felt like that with another coach. Before this season, all the players had a talk and we promised the boss we would recover our level. We had to do it for him, for us and for the fans — we have to win important things this season.”
Pellegrini has reciprocated such feelings for the former Barcelona star, and has always maintained his belief that Yaya Toure could return to form for Manchester City. While tabloids were suggesting a summer exit was on the cards, the City boss continued to refute the rumours and stuck by his crop of players. Toure has more than vindicated his faith, and the Chilean manager believes he could be key to the Sky Blues going all the way in the title race.
“Yaya is happy. I don’t think I have to answer for how happy Yaya is at Manchester City. The answer is his performances over the last four years he plays. He is a very important player and he demonstrates it every game,” said Pellegrini. Toure will turn 33 by the time the Premier League season reaches its finale, and his form so far deserves standout praise given the industrious nature of his attacking performances. Driving deep with the ball, Toure looks physically fit, and still has plenty more in the tank.
Manchester City are reportedly eyeing up a lucrative bid for Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba, with manager Manuel Pellegrini looking to replace like-for-like in his starting eleven. The ageing Yaya Toure doesn’t appear to have long left at the Etihad Stadium, and the Sky Blues think Pogba can be his successor.
Toure operates as a box-to-box midfielder, with his strengths being his ability to drive with the ball from deep, and his technical attributes to score and create goals. When the Ivorian international gains momentum in possession, he’s hard to stop. Toure has been a brilliant servant for Manchester City, winning two Premier League titles, one FA Cup and one Capital One Cup, but he turns 33 over the course of next season, meaning the title-chasers must find his replacement.
Juventus’ Paul Pogba certainly fits the bill. The French international is regarded as one of the best midfielders in the world since his move from Manchester United, and has helped the Italian Serie A side to an impressive trophy haul. 10 years Toure’s junior, Pogba has won three league titles, three domestic cups, and earned a Champions League runners-up medal in the summer.
Like, Toure, he’s a central midfielder who dribbles with the ball, and contributes with goals and assists. Perhaps more technical and boasting more agility than the Ivory Coast man, Pogba could well be regarded as an upgrade to the veteran star, which is why City are so keen to sign him, and why Juventus are so keen to hold onto him.
The Italians have slapped an €80M price tag on his head, which only few clubs are able to meet. Manchester City are not only keen on the Frenchman due to his ability, but because he qualifies as a homegrown player, which is what they’re lacking after losing Dedryk Boyata, James Milner, and Frank Lampard this summer.
Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak promised bug-name arrivals ahead of the new season, and the 22-year-old could well be one of them. With the Sky Blues finishing some distance behind Chelsea in the race for the Premier League title, while falling short in the Champions League, drastic measures could be taken to ensure City remain European heavyweights now Financial Fair Play regulations are being relaxed.
The Premier League giants can meet Juventus’ valuation of Pogba, and he’s already shown in his young age that he could be an upgrade on Yaya Toure in the side But can City get their man this summer?
Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure is being rumoured to be exiting the Etihad stadium this summer by his own agent, Dimitri Seluk, who said he’s “90% sure” the Ivorian international will be at pastures anew for next season. And with Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan reportedly interested in his services, should Manchester City art company with the midfielder at the end of this campaign?
Toure has been a problem in the City side all season, with manager Manuel Pellegrini failing to get a repeat of the form he showcased for the majority of 2013/14, while also struggling to find balance in the team with Toure operating as a deep-lying midfielder. Toure’s lack of defensive attributes have seen City defeated in high profile games with the box-to-box midfielder being played out of position.
The former Barcelona man has made 26 Premier League appearances, scoring eight goals, and making only one assist. Last season, Toure was scoring and creating most every week, so his decline is clear to see.
The campaign got off to a rocky start, with exit talk flying around the camp following a dispute between Toure and Manchester City over lapse birthday celebrations made by the club, and their treatment of him when Toure had a family bereavement. But things were resolved and the Ivorian international was back in the side playing on a regular basis. However, his form wasn’t anywhere near to last season’s performances, which led to criticism from pundits and supporters alike.
Yaya Toure did showcase moments of brilliance, but such incidents were few and far between. The 31-year-old’s time at the Etihad Stadium looks to have run its course, and a change of scenery would surely suit him. Pellegrini doesn’t seem to have a lace for him in the side anymore, and the midfielder clearly wants a new club ahead of the new campaign too.
“The time is right for them to cash in as he’s 31 now and they can still get a bit of money for him. They need a fresh and adaptable midfielder as David Silva’s role in the team has made Toure play a bit deeper than what suits his game,” said Sky Sports pundit Charlie Nicholas.
The Manchester City man is expected to be on his way to either Inter Milan or Paris Saint-Germain this summer, but will command a transfer fee given he still has two years to go on his deal with the Sky Blues.
Inter Milan general director Marco Fassone recently admitted Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure is a summer transfer target, while quickly adding that the financial side of any potential deal could prove to be a stumbling block. But should Manchester City try to push through a deal that sees them finally move on from the inconsistent Ivorian?
“Who doesn’t dream of having a player like him? Toure would give our midfield line something that we are lacking. But his wages and City’s asking price might be a big obstacle,” said Fassone recently when asked about the rumours linking the struggling Italian Serie A side to the 31-year-old.
Many were shocked when Barcelona sold the talented midfielder to Manchester City back in 2010, but it was clear he no longer fit the ethos of the Catalan club. Toure has many great attributes that rightly see him regarded as one of the best box-to-box midfielders in the world, but his flaws have become crippling for the Sky Blues.
Toure has looked really out of his depth in the Champions League in recent years, which is the elusive trophy the City hierarchy has been desperate to win. The 31-year-old tends to fade away and lose control of the midfield against strong opposition, and his defensive attributes are becoming non-existent. Despite often playing as one of two central midfielders, Toure rarely tracks his man, and does not seem to be willing to do the dirty work.
There were many factors for Manchester City’s failure on all four fronts this season, and an ageing Yaya Toure must certainly take his share of the blame. He still has two years to go on his deal with the Premier League holders, but is a player that has exhausted his time at the Etihad. His best season was 2013/14, when City blew away their competition with suicidal attacking football, but the Premier League will not let a side get away with that tactic for two consecutive seasons.
Teams quickly wised to who was the chief orchestrating player in the City squad; thus, the opposition ensures City’s creativity is stifled. Despite being a strong and physically intimidating player to come up against, sides have worked out how to keep Yaya quiet.
If Inter come in with an offer this summer, should Manchester City let him leave? Do the Sky Blues need to move on from the past, and rethink their strategy with the objective of rebuilding without the towering Ivorian midfielder?
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