Manchester City’s arguably most inspirational player finally returns for Saturday’s Premier League clash against Newcastle. Yaya Toure hasn’t played for City since the 2-1 FA Cup third round victory against Sheffield Wednesday back in early January after helping Ivory Coast lift their first African Nations title since 1992.
It’s no coincidence that City went on a five-match winless spell without Toure in the side and have only won once without him in the league since April 2014. Toure is such an important player for Man City and it certainly shows when he is absent from the side. Pellegrini hasn’t got team selection right with Toure missing on international duty.
Fernando has filled in for the Ivorian during the six matches and has been extremely poor throughout. Partnering Fernandinho, City lost their creativity in the middle of the pitch with the team looking a lot less convincing going forward. Playing Toure with one of these two Brazilians compliments the 31-year-old but when they both play together, City have looked half the side they can be.
[ad_pod id=’football-friends’ align=’center’]
Now Yaya Toure is back, City will be able to play with a lot more freedom from midfield and still be able to be equally solid just infront of the back four. Goals from centre midfield will be added with Toure back, as the two Brazilians have only managed three between them this season which has been evident in recent weeks with a lack of confidence infront of goal becoming a worry.
Since joining from Barcelona in 2010 for £24 million, Yaya Toure has elevated himself to be regarded as one of the best players in the world. He made an instant impact during his first season at the club, scoring the winning goal in the FA Cup semi-final win against Man Utd where he put in a Man of the Match display. He went on to net the only goal in the 1-0 win against Stoke in the final which ended City’s 35-year wait for a major trophy.
Toure then played a key part in the clubs first league title in 44 years the following season. Last season is where he was at his best, scoring 20 league goals which went a long way in securing a second Premier League title in three seasons. Toure was one of the best players in the league, if not in Europe. Many have said he hasn’t been at his best this season which is true but he has still managed seven league goals and nine in total. He hasn’t been able to have as much of an influence on games as he did last season but even so, has popped up when needed and is still very much a key player. Much of City’s attacking play goes through Toure so expect a lot more goals upon his return.
His goalscoring form throughout his time at Man City has been perhaps the most impressive feature. He has scored 61 of his 83 career goals for City, in 210 appearences for the club. Obviously he is much more than a goalscorer, being able to control a game from the centre of midfield but goalscoring has now become a vital part of his all round game.
The Premier League title looks to have slipped out of Man City’s grasp due to their poor form in Toure’s absence. Pellegrini with be delighted to have Toure back for the crucial Champions League ties against Barcelona where an on-song Yaya Toure could take City further than they have ever been before in Europe.
[ad_pod id=’ffc-video’ align=’center’]
[ad_pod id=’magicsponge’ align=’center’]
