While Yaya Toure makes sense for NYCFC, will he actually happen and does he understand the perfect fit?
“Manchester City is the right club for me to go out on top [with], but if I’m asked to come to New York City to continue to help City grow, I would do that for them.”
This was a quote from Manchester City defender Yaya Toure last year as he pondered his future, via Sports Illustrated.
Toure is reported by the Manchester Evening News as not in communication with any club as he completes his season. At 33 currently, the options are somewhat limited to either something exotic like China, or new, like MLS, particularly NYCFC.
The Designated Player slot is vacant since Frank Lampard left the club. Though Yaya speaks about total loyalty and focus, his coach Pep Guardiola, claims he is not as important as he once was. Strange for a man who has led his native Ivory Coast to the African Nations Cup and won a Champion’s League Championship with Barcelona, not to mention the Premier League twice with Manchester City.
Though a few MLS clubs want Yaya, NYCFC has the inside track as a fellow City club and an attractive venue for any world-class player. Things change rapidly in six months and Yaya, a four-time African Footballer of the Year, is aware of the interest. But does he know much sense it makes?
