The
Catalan coach denied his protege at Camp Nou was set to be sold this
summer, stating he would take time to evaluate him in pre-season before
making a decision
New Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola states he is counting on Yaya Toure ahead of his maiden season in the Premier League.
It was rumoured the Ivorian, who was
sold by Guardiola in their time together at Barcelona, was set to be
part of a major summer clearout at the Etihad Stadium.
Inter have been the favourites for Toure’s signature, with former City manager Roberto Mancini a known admirer of his ex-player.
However, Guardiola was happy to confirm
he would be counting on the 33-year-old for now, even though he failed
to rule out the midfielder being sold on.
“All the players are coming back from
holiday, they’re only beginning to train now. Not just Yaya, but
everybody,” he told reporters at his first press conference as City
boss.
“I’ve know Yaya for a long time. He did
very, very well in Barcelona and here as well. He’s a huge, huge talent
and of course all the players who are here right now count on me.
“After that we’re going to see what’s
happening in the future. Not just in the case of Yaya, but the other
players too. But Yaya is here, I count on him.”
Toure has made over 250 appearances in
all competititons for City since joining them from Barcelona in 2010,
winning two Premier League titles as well as an FA Cup in that time.
However, he was part of the club’s slump
in the second half of last season that saw Manuel Pellegrini’s men fall
out of contention for the title, prompting talk he was set to be sold
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