Roundtable #3: Is Yaya Toure staying at Manchester City good for the club?

Toure applauds fans at the Etihad (via Manchester City Facebook)

As the Summer Transfer Window rapidly approaches, one of the most important players in the recent history of Manchester City could be on his way out of the club. The Express reports that Manuel Pellegrini has ruled out a move that would send Yaya Toure to Inter Milan. However, speculation has continued to build regarding the future of Yaya Toure at Manchester City. A mishandled birthday celebration and the appeared decline of the player could make it appealing to sell Toure and use the funds to add quality and youth to the squad. The staff at Man City Square discusses whether or not Manchester City should try to keep Toure at the Etihad.

Adam Clifton (Editor)

Manchester City should sell Yaya Toure

Yaya Toure has been one of the most important players in the recent success of Manchester City. The powerful midfielder has played a vital role in the success of the club. Until early in 2015, the Citizens had failed to win a game in which Toure did not take part for over a year. His importance to the club cannot be understated.

However, at the age of 32, the player has appeared to lose a step. Toure is well-known for his calmness in possession and poise on the pitch. Recently, he has appeared to lack pace and looked unmotivated to work hard on for the team. The club needs to add youth, as the current crop of player has shown they cannot compete in the UEFA Champions League. Manchester City needs to make youth a priority and it should start with the sale of Yaya Toure. His high wages and lofty transfer fee could go a long way in adding youth and quality to the squad.

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Jordan Katz (Staff Writer)

Manchester City should sell Yaya Toure, if they want to add Paul Pogba

The answer to this question really depends on two things. The first is what Toure’s role will be in the 2015-16 season and the second is how this will affect City’s pursuit of midfielders in the upcoming transfer market.

Manuel Pellegrini needs to know that Toure cannot be useful if he has any major defensive responsibilities. Whether it be laziness or just declining ability, Toure can’t be counted on to be a box-to-box midfielder. Compared to the 2013-14 campaign, Toure made less interceptions and tackles this season compared to last. Fernandinho and Fernando are both much better at tracking back and making meaningful contributions defensively than Toure and should be used as such. If Pellegrini can utilize Toure as a viable attacking option then he will be a valuable member of next year’s team. But if Toure will be expected to track back and defend, it won’t exactly be smooth sailing.

Toure coming back isn’t good for City if it discourages other midfielders to come to City. The biggest midfield target this summer will obviously be Paul Pogba. Pogba knowing he will have competition in the midfield could easily discourage him to join City, opting instead to stay with Juventus or join another big club with less midfield competition.

Joe Hulbert (Staff Writer)

Manchester City should not see Yaya Toure

He has proven on many occasions that he is a world-class player and can pull the club out of the pits with a piece of magic. He doesn’t have a bad attitude, contrary to what the media will have you believe, everything has been blown out of proportion and he has given his all for the club every time he puts the shirt on.

He is a great mentor for the younger players and he can do pretty much anything on the pitch. The only issue with keeping him is it symbolizes the fact Manchester City is not fully committing to a rebuild and a new generation at the Etihad. Toure has done great stuff for the club, but him leaving does make sense as the squad needs some young fresh blood as it’s quite an old squad. There are both positives and negatives to him staying, but from a purely footballing point of view, it is great for the club if he stays.