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What Does The Future Look Like For This Manchester City And Former Barcelona Star?

toure

Ivorian midfielder Yaya Toure has returned from his exile at Manchester City. He has done so in some fashion, as he recently scored a brace in a 2-1 defeat of Crystal Palace, in what was his return to first team action under Pep Guardiola. Previous issues with Pep and also the fact that his outspoken agent kept lashing out at Pep, meant that he was restricted to training with the reserves. Following such treatment, Yaya came out and apologised and all was forgiven and forgotten.

But should Manchester City keep Yaya on their books? Juventus have been mooted as the next possible destination for the midfield maestro. Their pursuit of Belgian Axel Witsel might not take flight and if that move fails, they are likely to target Yaya Toure. Juventus are currently missing a presence in midfield after the departure of Paul Pogba to Manchester United. Yes, they have Pjanic, Asamoah, Hernanes among a few others, but none of them is as potent as Pogba was.

Now, Pep Guardiola can again call upon the services of Yaya Toure, who is a proven goalscorer in the Premier League. Even at 33, the midfielder has been a revelation since moving in from Barcelona in 2010. His most prolific season came was the title-winning campaign of 2013/14, which saw him score 20 league goals, quite a lot for a midfielder. Along with his important goals in the league, Toure notched up goals in important cup competition fixtures, having a hand in City’s FA cup and League Cup successes.

Having started his career as a defender, Yaya was never a prolific scorer in his initial years in Ukraine, Greece, France or even at Barcelona for that matter, where he was also deployed at the centre-back sometimes. But he has 77 goals since moving to England and that will hold him in good stead despite the fact that he could be nearing the twilight of his career.

Yaya toure

The win against Crystal Palace showed that Manchester City still needs him. They might have many attacking options, but Yaya undoubtedly is still a major player at City. There is no other player with the qualities that Yaya possesses. He mixes pace with incredible strength and raw running power, something that has seen him labelled as a ‘’human train’’, mostly for his long-bursting runs from midfield. For a man that is so big and physical, Yaya has exceptional poise on the ball and his passing isn’t the worst either. His time at Barcelona surely let him hone those skills and flourish.

But aged 33, there will be questions asked. Yaya’s agent also needs to lay off and stop coming out with dubious comments on Pep Guardiola. Another such incident will obviously ticks Guardiola off and it could be the last time we see Yaya in a City shirt.

For now, everything is fine and Manchester City have their Yaya back, but for how long? Should he look to move on, for he has already created a legacy for himself at City as one of their most important players of all time.

One thing cannot be questioned and that is Yaya Toure’s talents. Manchester City this season have been playing a fast brand of football that might not suit the 33-year-old, but in 2 appearances, he has shown that he is still capable of strutting it out in the Premier League. If he decides to stay put, Pep including him in the Champions League squad for the knockout games is a must. Leaving him out again will obviously anger him and he might just look out for other options such as Juventus, who would be more than happy to have a man of his stature in their team.