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Yaya Toure’s Manchester City Form Threatens Ivory Coast Rebuilding Operation
Published: September 19, 2014
At the end of last season, the Ivorian midfielder was untouchable at Manchester City. He had just scored 20 goals in the Premier League, becoming only the second central midfielder (after Frank Lampard) to hit the 20-goal mark in the EPL era.
His goals had also brought a tangible reward as City claimed only their third-ever English title. Toure, a veteran of Roberto Mancini’s own championship victory of 2012 and the FA Cup win a year earlier, is adored by Citizens fans and, as the last campaign drew to a close, could do no wrong.
However, the summer’s farce has soured the relationship, and has shattered the illusion that all is well at the Etihad.
The behaviour of Toure and his agent doesn’t need to be replayed here; by now everyone’s heard the stories of the birthday, of the brother and of the Bernabeu. Despite assurances, once it became clear that the midfielder would not be leaving the club, that all was well between player and management, there appear to be deeper, underlying problems here.
To say that the midfielder has started this season slowly would be an understatement.
In the Premier League, he has looked at best uncoordinated, at worst disinterested, and his listless, clumsy performances in the heart of midfield have affected City both offensively and defensively.
As Africa Football Shop’s Ivory Coast correspondent John Fernandez pointed out, “Often playing as part of a two-man midfield alongside Fernandinho for Manchester City, Toure’s role dictates that he takes part in both transitions of play—dictating attacks and shielding the defence.
“Is that the kind of quality you’d expect from a 20+ goal-a-season player? Not likely.
“These traits which set hi...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - International Football
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