Tag Archives: Ivory Coast

Is Man City-target Paul Pogba an upgrade on Yaya Toure?

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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?

Should Manchester City rid themselves of Yaya Toure in the summer amid Inter interest?

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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?