The Problem Which is Yaya Toure

If City wish to succeed in Europe, it may be time to move on from Yaya Toure

On Saturday Yaya Toure broke the deadlock against Aston Villa and helped City to an important three points. His contribution for the team in terms of goal scoring has become a key element of his game in recent years and has certainly helped City reach the top of English football. However as his influence in an attacking sense has rose, his failings defensively have been highlighted further, so much so that there are serious questions to ask about Yaya Toure's place in City's team.  

Perhaps no-one could have imagined what Yaya Toure would become after his £28m move from Barcelona to Manchester City. After the rather anti-climatic career of Robinho at the Etihad there was a worry that City were simply a mercenary haven. However unlike Robinho, Toure was built for English football. 

Although surplus to requirements at Barca under Guardiola the Ivorian was perfect for the demands of the Premier League; his athleticism and strength was a key asset in a league which has always demanded physicality and athleticism. The intensity and almost chaotic nature of the English game warranted players capable of meeting those demands, especially in midfield.

The need for physicality and athleticism in midfield

Toure was what Arsenal had built their strength on with players like Vieria, Gilberto and Petit. He was the type of player Mourinho would have craved at Chelsea back in 2004-2007; he was the modern day version of Michael Essien, arguably the most complete and dominant midfielder to have graced the Premier League (Vieria and Roy Keane would compete for that honour also). 

Not much has changed since a decade ago; yes Wenger moved away from the dominant, athletic midfielder and embraced the ‘slighter’ midfielder (to the detriment of league success). And although it was a decision which appeared justified when Barcelona and Spain started to dominate the game with their small technicians the truth of the matter wasn't so clear. Their success had actually been built on the strength of a holding midfielder. Whether it was Edmilson, Yaya Toure, Marcos Senna or the best holding midfield pivot in world football Sergio Busquets, it was clear that to succeed you needed a defensive midfielder who can dominate, support the defence and provide a base for the attacking players to thrive. 

Now this has been almost common knowledge for over a decade. Deschamps and Makelele became the prototype for this role, then it was enhanced further with the rise of the ‘complete’ midfielder with players like Essien, Vieria, Davids and now recently Schweinstieger and Vidal. Other players like Pirlo, Veron, Carrick and Xabi Alonso excelled deeper yet this was in part to the industrious work of their ‘destroyer’ partners who gave them the space and time to create. 

What has been clear is that the midfield area in the top levels of the game has always required an athletic and dominant player. It is the case in Europe as much as it is in the Premier League. Yaya Toure excelled in a league where his dominance and athleticism could thrive. 

Toure also benefited greatly from the responsibility of being City’s ‘key man’ (a topic I have discussed recently on the blog). He was given the control of the team, he was the leader, the player in which all play went through. At Barca he was just a 'part' of the team, yet at City he was the most important. And not surprisingly he became a better player, a more dominant player. No longer was he just a pivot in a midfield three like at Barca, he was now able to showcase his attacking threats more, was given more licence to push forward. And he proved extremely capable and efficient with his attacking forays. 

In fact he became used as a striker, or at least a supporting 10, when games were becoming difficult or the winning goal was proving difficult. Mancini’s trump card became moving Toure further forward. And it worked. In fact it worked so well that under Pellegrini Toure was given even more licence to push forward. In came Fernandinho to provide greater defensive cover, allowing Toure to support the attack. He would score 20 league goals in Pellegrini’s first season and would be a key reason for City’s league success. 

However, is Toure’s time now over for City? Is there a case to say that he has become something of a liability in the team? By this I mean, can City realistically succeed in Europe, their biggest dream, with Toure in the midfield?

A liability in midfield?

The concerns over Toure’s midfield problems started to show properly last season. Before this when City were continually over-ran in Europe the excuses were more about team cohesion, Mancini’s tactical ineptitude and a general sense of ‘naivety’ in Europe.  All these factors are fair and true, yet there is a constant in these issues which pointed to a trend. That trend was Yaya Toure. 

It has been proven that to succeed in Europe a team must be 100% committed and together, especially out of possession. It is no coincidence that the best defensive sides have won the Champions League. Defending wins championships goes the cliché. So when we look at City in Europe we see a problem with what Toure does defensively. 

As I said, last season this became highlighted further. In the game against Bayern at home, in which City lost 3-2, City’s midfield was made to look foolish with the speed of passing and intricate triangles. City looked weak and vulnerable in midfield. Toure couldn’t get close and looked slow, lethargic and quite frankly out of his depth. This did not look a player regarded as the ‘most complete in world football’. And while this was the European champions and playing under the best coach in the game, the issues were apparent in other game too.

In the league these problems started to become more evident, in the away game to Swansea I remember Toure’s lack of willingness to track back and defend being highlighted clearly. In the away game against Spurs Gary Neville was full of praise for Fernandinho because he was effectively defending the midfield on his own. The criticism was becoming louder of Toure and his failure to help City defensively. 

Now of course 20 goals can mask a players failings and it was clear that he was given more licence to attack. However, City are blessed with attacking talent, with creative playmakers and great forwards. The key to them being successful in Europe, their ultimate goal, is to learn to dominate games (which is through midfield) effectively. In their first two games in Europe they have looked average once more, too easy to counter on and offering too many chances for the opposition. Yes they have only conceded two goals, yet as a whole they look dangerously open. 

The loss of Fernando has not helped and has only helped expose the weakness of Toure in midfield. Fernando was bought for this very reason, to help Fernandinho and give City a stronger midfield base to build on. His absence has been clear. In the game against Villa on the weekend his introduction changed the game, he gave a platform of stability to the midfield which helped City regain control. After Fernandinho had left and the midfield was Toure/Lampard Villa looked threatening every time they attacked. 

Three man midfield's succeed, two get over-ran

My point however is this, with Fernando and Fernandinho City have a stronger and more disciplined midfield pairing, yet to succeed in Europe you need a three man midfield. Now we can critique Pellegrini on this issue because he use of the South American 4-2-2-2 formation can leave City's midfield exposed. Yet even if he plays Toure as the supporting forward, does it become a 4-2-3-1 or a 4-3-3? Not with Toure in that role. 

My concern would be that Toure fails to offer this third man support. In a similar way to Ozil, Mata and Sneijder type 10’s he fails to provide the defensive cover and support which is required to control, dominate and help the team defensively. The modern 10’s, players like Modric, Gotze, Di Maria, Oscar and Fabregas offer the team more in terms of defensive cover, which in turn makes the team more secure and defensively tight. Look at Chelsea’s midfield options of Matic, Ramires, Oscar and Fabregas and you see not only excellent attacking options but strong defensive options also (a key reason why they look to be favourites to win in Europe this season). 

So what is the solution for City? Personally I would have cashed in on Toure this past summer and brought in Fabregas, a player who would have provided more for City. Toure has become a problem, both tactically on the pitch and off it too. The issues of complaints, of his agent leaking stories of unhappiness and not feeling valued have only destabilised the harmony and added fuel to the flames. 

Now this is a player who has been City’s key man for several years. Unfortunately however this kind of accolade can often lead to ill-discipline, lack of focus and a perceived arrogance in one’s self worth. Toure looks to be a player who no longer feels the need to prove himself. This is a concern. And along with this he appears un-droppable. In a similar way to Wayne Rooney (who ironically shares similar issues in regards to balance and tactics as Toure) it appears their respective coaches can’t make an example of them. Personally I would sell both, cash in and move on. 

One man is not bigger than the club and when it becomes clear that the player is not working 100% for the team and is having a detrimental effect on the team’s balance, then it is time to move on. And where should City look to go? Well they may have a perfect replacement already there in the form of James Milner. Call me crazy but Milner can provide the three man midfield cover which Toure appears unwilling to offer as well as the tactical discipline and work rate required. Case in point is Angel Di Maria's influence at Madrid last season in the central role. 

City would be smart to make Milner a key part of their central midfield, get his contract sorted, and embrace him over Toure from next season. As well as this the rumours of Ross Barkley makes sense. This is one of England’s most promising ‘complete’ midfielders and if he stays injury free could become of the best in the world.

Toure has been a key part in taking City to the top of English football and becoming a ‘big’ player in Europe. However at 31 years he looks a shadow of his former self. Perhaps his brothers death, or the World Cup in the summer has taken away his energy and focus. Perhaps he has simply lost his enthusiasm. Either way it is time for City to begin to plan for life away from Yaya. Based on what he has shown, especially in Europe, points to it not being as big a loss as what many will believe. In fact it may be just what City require to move forward in their quest for European success.  

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