Yaya Toure: The term legend is frequently overused, but Toure’s role in the revival of Manchester City should not be underestimated
In his first column for SunSport, City writer Blue Moon discusses the end of Toure's distinguished City career
IT is a shame that Yaya Toure’s distinguished Manchester City career is set to end in such ignominious circumstances, after a quite remarkable sequence of events yesterday.
It should have been a proud day for the Ivorian, announcing his international retirement after 102 caps and leading Les Éléphants to their first African Cup of Nations for over twenty years in 2015.
However, the news was completely overshadowed by a very public spat between his manager and agent, one that in all likelihood will result in Toure not making another senior appearance for the Blues.
The term “legend” is frequently overused, but Toure’s role in the revival of Manchester City should not be underestimated; he has arguably been the club’s most important player since Sheikh Mansour’s takeover in 2008. His winning goals in the 2011 FA Cup semi-final and final helped City win their first silverware for 35 years, whilst his brace against Newcastle in the penultimate game of the 2012 season was a pivotal moment in the title race. Lest we forget his 24 goals from midfield in the 2013/14 season, that saw the Blues win their second league title in three years.
One goal in particular from that campaign, in a 4-0 victory against Aston Villa towards the end of the season, perhaps symbolised Toure at his marauding, brilliant best. A surging run from inside his own half saw him brush off five Villa defenders before finishing effortlessly past Brad Guzan. It felt almost as though a sixth-former had sauntered on to the reception playground and was cruelly toying with his juniors.
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Throughout this time, however, his legacy always threatened to be tainted by the very vocal presence of his agent, the odious Dmitri Seluk. Seluk’s absurd complaints, culminating in the infamous “cake-gate” saga, became almost an annual event at City and were clearly an unwelcome distraction for the club. It is, therefore, refreshing to see Pep Guardiola publicly stand up to the player and agent, demanding an apology if Toure is to be considered again for selection.
Of course, it is easier to take such a stance now that the player’s powers are on the wane. Toure seems physically incapable of delivering the work ethic that Guardiola demands from his team, and you suspect that his appearances will be hugely restricted even if an apology is forthcoming.
In all likelihood, the situation is unlikely to be resolved any time soon. It’s a stand-off between Seluk and Toure, on side, and Guardiola and Txiki Begiristain on the other, that began when Guardiola’s appointment was announced. There can only be one winner in such a dispute, but hopefully an amicable arrangement can be found whereby Toure’s contract is terminated by mutual consent, allowing him one lucrative last payday in China or the United States. It just grates that Seluk will be there, as always, to collect his 20%.
This shouldn’t detract from Toure’s achievements with the club, however. His signing in 2010 was derided by many journalists, who naively saw him as a limited defensive midfielder, but he went on to become one of the club’s all-time greats. He possessed a rare combination of brute force and refined finesse that made him a quite unique player in many respects. He deserves a more dignified exit, and an appropriate send off from the fans, but sadly his unwavering, but misguided, loyalty to his agent may have jeopardised that.
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