Pep Guardiola has gone trophy-less in his first season in England but he sure has some serious plans for his squad at the end of the season. The manager is looking to spend on a number of star players in the summer transfer window and this might see a couple of players from the squad shown the exit door before the start of the next campaign.
One such player who is now constantly linked with a move away from the club is midfielder Yaya Toure. According to reports today, Toure has rejected a contract extension at the Etihad and is wanted by a couple of clubs in Turkey along with English clubs Brighton and Newcastle for a move this summer. So should City let him leave?
It is a question that would have had just one answer at the start of the current season. Guardiola was expected to sell the former Barcelona man, like in their time at the Camp Nou, but the manager failed to find suitable replacements and decided to stick with him for another season.
He was far from the first team plans for City this season but injury to one Ilkay Gundogan saw Toure come to the fore. The 33-year old missed quite a few games at the start of the season but has been an important part of the squad in the last few months, making 28 appearances in all competitions.
He has also been effective in front of goal, scoring six goals and picking up three further assists this season, one of which was a winner. With Guardiola not trusting Brazil midfielder Fernando enough to start him regularly, Toure has partnered Fernandinho regularly in the middle of the park and has added creativity to the squad in most games he has played.
He is still one of the best playmakers around, but at 33, may not be a long-term option for Manchester City. He has hardly lasted the full 90 minutes in a game this season and has no chance of starting regularly in the next campaign under Guardiola
So, it can be said that the current situation is similar to the one at the start of the season. Guardiola does cannot trust Toure in all the competitions and needs top class midfielders who can play week in week out next season. So Guardiola is sure to spend on a top class midfielder this summer, pushing Toure further down the pecking order.
But again, as the Spanish tactician might have learnt this season, he will need all the depth in the squad that he can accumulate and Toure certainly fits the ball. He can walk into the first team when needed but also act as a backup plan for injuries and contingencies for Manchester City next season.
However, game time will be at a premium for the 33-year old at the Etihad next season so it might be up to him if he wants to stay or quit this summer. Do you think City should sell Toure at the end of the season?
