Yaya Toure - 2016/17 performances

[blinkblue]

Give him a 1 year deal.

 

[its a Barm]

yaya needs to stay and play in games like last night he bossed midfield.

 

[eversince 76]

Did anyone doubt when he got the ball back from Sergio that he would score?

117 passes tonight and he only played 80 mins, that is running the game.

City would be mental to let him go.

I know you're a big fan of Yaya. Yaya is definitely one of the best four midfielders ever to play for City. And the player rightly deserves an extension. If Yaya wants it I'm sure he will get an extension. I surely wouldn't mind.
If he doesn't stay I'm sure we can cope without him. He would be a great asset to the squad but with Gundogan fit his minutes on the pitch will be limited.

 

[domalino]

As much as he was brilliant last night for most of the game, there were a few times we had counter attacks and the ball got to Yaya and it was like he was running in slow motion, and it was just a stark reminder that while he's still got the skill, the body is going.

He should get offered a new contract on much reduced wages, but we also desperately need to replace him in the summer too.

As a squad player, an old experienced head who's well respected in the dressing room, mentors the younger players and can play like he did last night when called upon, he's invaluable. As our first choice defensive midfielder he'd be a liability that holds us back over the season.

 

[jay_mcfc]

He makes his goals look so easy. Those first and second touches last night before the finish were exquisite, I'm not sure any other player in our squad could have taken it like that and then applied the cool finish.

I'm easy on a new contract, it's a situation we can't really lose in my eyes so long as if he does go we have a replacement in mind.

 

[Neville Kneville]

As much as he was brilliant last night for most of the game, there were a few times we had counter attacks and the ball got to Yaya and it was like he was running in slow motion, and it was just a stark reminder that while he's still got the skill, the body is going.

He should get offered a new contract on much reduced wages, but we also desperately need to replace him in the summer too.

As a squad player, an old experienced head who's well respected in the dressing room, mentors the younger players and can play like he did last night when called upon, he's invaluable. As our first choice defensive midfielder he'd be a liability that holds us back over the season.

He'd beat Tony Kroos in a sprint back & probably would if he was 50.

Because Yaya is big & strong, people expect him to do stuff certain other 'world class' players, don't even attempt to do. Imo, it's about how the rest of the team is set up.

Last season, playing him in a wide open 442, fat & unfit, was one of the most stupid, clueless, things I have ever seen in all my years watching football, but if this team now was pressing & covering as Pep wants, with forwards & fullbacks winning the ball in midfield, I think it's no problem for Yaya at all, especially if we sign more athletic players to help.

He isn't a player that should be left to track younger fitter runners through midfield, but he never has been.

He successfully pressed West Brom on many occasions last night & helped us win the ball in their 3rd & has proved he can do that side of things, if the team is functioning as it should.

 

[domalino]

He'd beat Tony Kroos in a sprint back & probably would if he was 50.

Because Yaya is big & strong, people expect him to do stuff certain other 'world class' players, don't even attempt to do. Imo, it's about how the rest of the team is set up.

Last season, playing him in a wide open 442, fat & unfit, was one of the most stupid, clueless, things I have ever seen in all my years watching football, but if this team now was pressing & covering as Pep wants, with forwards & fullbacks winning the ball in midfield, I think it's no problem for Yaya at all, especially if we sign more athletic players to help.

He isn't a player that should be left to track younger fitter runners through midfield, but he never has been.

He successfully pressed West Brom on many occasions last night & helped us win the ball in their 3rd & has proved he can do that side of things, if the team is functioning as it should.

Firstly I don't think that's true, I doubt he'd beat Kroos in a sprint now, and I'm not sure why it is you always bring up Kroos' speed. Secondly, Kroos isn't the player who gets and starts the counterattacks at the base of midfield, that's Modric who is more than fast enough to get the ball, run at pace and then deliver the killer ball which Yaya can't. Kroos isn't the defensive midfielder who cuts out attacks, that's Casemiro.

So what you seem to be saying with the Kroos example is that Yaya can't play at the base of midfield, which then runs counter to your point.

Even then, yes he can do it against on-holiday, expecting to lose mid-table fodder in the league, no one doubts that. The problem will come against Monaco, when Pep felt he had to drop him, or against Chelsea when he had to drop him twice. I imagine if Fernandinho wasn't suspended he'd not have seen the Spurs game either, or the Everton disaster.

Fact is, Pep's dropped him against serious opposition whenever possible, and we need a player who can do most of what Yaya does, the thoughtful distribution, the absorbing pressure etc. but do it in the big games too, which he seemingly doesn't have the legs for - or at least Guardiola seems to think he doesn't have the legs for, which is the real problem because we are a shadow of the team in possession with Fernandinho replacing Yaya for big games.

I'd like to have that player, while still keeping Yaya around.

 

[Neville Kneville]

Firstly I don't think that's true, I doubt he'd beat Kroos in a sprint now, but secondly, Kroos isn't the player who gets and starts the counterattacks at the base of midfield, that's Modric who is more than fast enough to get the ball, run at pace and then deliver the killer ball which Yaya can't.

The problem will come against Monaco, when Pep felt he had to drop him, or against Chelsea when he had to drop him twice. I imagine if Fernandinho wasn't suspended he'd not have seen the Spurs game either, or the Everton disaster.

Fact is, Pep's dropped him against serious opposition whenever possible, and we need a player who can do most of what Yaya does, the thoughtful distribution, the absorbing pressure etc. but do it in the big games too, which he seemingly doesn't have the legs for - or at least Guardiola seems to think he doesn't have the legs for, which is the real problem because we are a shadow of the team in possession with Fernandinho replacing Yaya for big games.

But Kroos plays for Real Madrid & is nothing in a conflict, is my point (I don't think he'd beat me in a sprint never mind Yaya). Yaya can do the same, if the players around him are the correct balance.

 

[domalino]

But Kroos plays for Real Madrid & is nothing in a conflict, is my point (I don't think he'd beat me in a sprint never mind Yaya). Yaya can do the same, if the players around him are the correct balance.

Sorry I edited to expand on the Kroos point, so I'll put the bit I added in here:

Kroos isn't the player who gets and starts the counterattacks at the base of midfield, that's Modric who is more than fast enough to get the ball, run at pace and then deliver the killer ball which Yaya can't. Kroos isn't the defensive midfielder who cuts out attacks, that's Casemiro.

So what you seem to be saying with the Kroos example is that Yaya can't play at the base of midfield, he has to play instead of either Silva or De Bruyne with a proper defensive midfielder behind him.

That player is basically Gundogan, who we know is a big Pep favourite with him being the first player he wanted when he took over, so there's no place for Yaya if you want him to be like Kroos.

 

[Neville Kneville]

Sorry I edited to expand on the Kroos point, so I'll put the bit I added in here:

Kroos isn't the player who gets and starts the counterattacks at the base of midfield, that's Modric who is more than fast enough to get the ball, run at pace and then deliver the killer ball which Yaya can't. Kroos isn't the defensive midfielder who cuts out attacks, that's Casemiro.

So what you seem to be saying with the Kroos example is that Yaya can't play at the base of midfield, he has to play instead of either Silva or De Bruyne with a proper defensive midfielder behind him.

That player is basically Gundogan, who we know is a big Pep favourite with him being the first player he wanted when he took over, so there's no place for Yaya if you want him to be like Kroos.

I don't believe there has to be a set formula of who plays which position. Pick it to suit the opposition on the day. If that means playing both Yaya & Gundogan & leaving out Silva or leaving out Gundogan or leaving out Yaya, do it. Just make sure the team is balanced.

Personally I would pick Yaya ahead of Gundogan in almost any position, but that's upto Pep.

 

[domalino]

I don't believe there has to be a set formula of who plays which position. Pick it to suit the opposition on the day. If that means playing both Yaya & Gundogan & leaving out Silva or leaving out Gundogan or leaving out Yaya, do it. Just make sure the team is balanced.

Personally I would pick Yaya ahead of Gundogan in almost any position, but that's upto Pep.

So you agree that we can't have Yaya starting every game with our current lineup, and having a defensive midfielder who is much better in possession than Fernandinho would be an upgrade if we're playing Silva and KDB ahead of 1 defensive mid?

 

[Neville Kneville]

So you agree that we can't have Yaya starting every game with our current lineup, and having a defensive midfielder who is much better in possession than Fernandinho would be an upgrade if we're playing Silva and KDB ahead of 1 defensive mid?

If we're playing a 'defensive mid' then neither Yaya nor Fernandinho have ever been that player imo. Fernandinho used to have a Gareth Barry kind of geezer sat behind him in Russia.

 

[domalino]

If we're playing a 'defensive mid' then neither Yaya nor Fernandinho have ever been that player imo. Fernandinho used to have a Gareth Barry kind of geezer sat behind him in Russia.

But fernandinho was playing as a number 10 in Ukraine, he obviously completely changed his position when he came over here.

 

[Neville Kneville]

But fernandinho was playing as a number 10 in Ukraine, he obviously completely changed his position when he came over here.

He has never been used to his best advantage imo & now he's a bit old to do it. But he was more of a kind of box to box player than a No 10. Exactly the kind of player City needed at the time, but we never played him there.

 

[OB1]

He'd beat Tony Kroos in a sprint back & probably would if he was 50.

Because Yaya is big & strong, people expect him to do stuff certain other 'world class' players, don't even attempt to do. Imo, it's about how the rest of the team is set up.

Last season, playing him in a wide open 442, fat & unfit, was one of the most stupid, clueless, things I have ever seen in all my years watching football, but if this team now was pressing & covering as Pep wants, with forwards & fullbacks winning the ball in midfield, I think it's no problem for Yaya at all, especially if we sign more athletic players to help.

He isn't a player that should be left to track younger fitter runners through midfield, but he never has been.

He successfully pressed West Brom on many occasions last night & helped us win the ball in their 3rd & has proved he can do that side of things, if the team is functioning as it should.

Agree with that.

I mentioned several times after the Leicester game that Yaya won more ball than anyone else on the pitch: he made 12 ball recoveries alone; in addition to the most tackles and interceptions for City. I have long despaired over the way people use the defensive side of the game as a stick to beat Yaya with when we should celebrate the fact that he is the most complete footballer to wear the sky blue since Bell and quite possibly ever. What makes it worse is that his defensive contribution has often been far better than people seem to appreciate. Ball recoveries is one example, for much of his time at City I'm pretty sure he has led the way on that stat and the reason he does is because he reads the game well and frequently takes up good positions.

People keep saying if he stays, he'll have to accept less minutes and he probably will but only if the other players out perform him and there's no guarantee if he does not have a major drop off in fitness that they will. What I'm bloody sure of is that the best possible squad that we can realistically assemble for next year would have Yaya in it.

 

[blueinsa]

Agree with that.

I mentioned several times after the Leicester game that Yaya won more ball than anyone else on the pitch: he made 12 ball recoveries alone; in addition to the most tackles and interceptions for City. I have long despaired over the way people use the defensive side of the game as a stick to beat Yaya with when we should celebrate the fact that he is the most complete footballer to wear the sky blue since Bell and quite possibly ever. What makes it worse is that his defensive contribution has often been far better than people seem to appreciate. Ball recoveries is one example, for much of his time at City I'm pretty sure he has led the way on that stat and the reason he does is because he reads the game well and frequently takes up good positions.

People keep saying if he stays, he'll have to accept less minutes and he probably will but only if the other players out perform him and there's no guarantee if he does not have a major drop off in fitness that they will. What I'm bloody sure of is that the best possible squad that we can realistically assemble for next year would have Yaya in it.

Well said mate.

My only reservation going forward is that against the very best sides where they are coming at us and not parking the bus, its only those games where i feel he might struggle a little but domestically, against the parked bus 90% of games we face he is imperious and simply the best in the business at what he does.

He went off last night and we instantly began to struggle.

Give him a 2 year deal if we have to because he is that good still.

 

[OB1]

I know you're a big fan of Yaya. Yaya is definitely one of the best four midfielders ever to play for City. And the player rightly deserves an extension. If Yaya wants it I'm sure he will get an extension. I surely wouldn't mind.
If he doesn't stay I'm sure we can cope without him. He would be a great asset to the squad but with Gundogan fit his minutes on the pitch will be limited.

I'm a huge fan of Yaya and I love Zab to bits but I think it's right for Zab to go and Yaya to stay because what is most important to me here is what is best for City.

I don't think his minutes would be as limited as some do but I think we will weaken the squad for next season by letting him go.

 

[Neville Kneville]

Well said mate.

My only reservation going forward is that against the very best sides where they are coming at us and not parking the bus, its only those games where i feel he might struggle a little but domestically, against the parked bus 90% of games we face he is imperious and simply the best in the business at what he does.

He went off last night and we instantly began to struggle.

Give him a 2 year deal if we have to because he is that good still.

In those games, perhaps having two younger, fitter, faster fullbacks might mean we close down as a team, a yard or two earlier, also a better, more aware partner for Vinny, but if we find that is still not happening, I think Pep ha to ask the question if it's actually a good idea, or necessarry, to play so many attacking players vs the very best opposition.

I'm not convinced that purely replacing Yaya with a younger def mid, is going to solve that. It needs a number of things sorting.

 

[OB1]

Well said mate.

My only reservation going forward is that against the very best sides where they are coming at us and not parking the bus, its only those games where i feel he might struggle a little but domestically, against the parked bus 90% of games we face he is imperious and simply the best in the business at what he does.

He went off last night and we instantly began to struggle.

Give him a 2 year deal if we have to because he is that good still.

Against certain sides, Yaya could get exposed so you either sacrifice him or someone else to make sure the team has the legs for the job.

 

[blueinsa]

@Neville Kneville @OB1

Its all about the right balance going forward and not just a case of shoehorning players in for the sake of it or because of their names.

Im convinced with the right squad and depth, Pep will do just that and Yaya will play a very big part in it.

I've just watched the game again and Kun, Yaya and Vinny where so fucking good last night they really where.