A Wilfried Bony double and an injury time goal from ex-Arsenal player Gervinho sent Ivory Coast through to the semi-finals of the African Cup of Nations after beating Algeria the other tonight. The City duo both played 90 minutes for their country (with Bony being substituted off right at the very end), but how Pellegrini could have done with them both on Saturday at Stamford Bridge!
Since Touré left after City’s FA Cup third round win over Sheffield Wednesday in the first week of January, City haven’t won any of their four games. Just over a week after The Blues’ number 42 left for Equatorial Guinea for the tournament Touré’s national teammate Wilfried Bony signed for The Blues on the 14th of January.
Ivory Coast topped Group D, even though they only claimed five points from their three games. After winning their final group game against Cameroon they progressed to the quarter-finals against Algeria which they played and won 3-1. They now go onto the semi on Wednesday against Congo DR and if they win that the final will be played on Sunday.
There has been a lot of talk this year between City fans and analysts alike on how Touré’s performances haven’t been quite as good as last season when he scored 24 goals compared to his 9 to date so far this season. However in recent matches his presence in the team has been severely missed by teammates, fans and manager, just showing what an important and vital role he has in making City playing well as a team.
Many people often comment that Touré is a lazy player, that he slowly jogs back when getting forward, and I am one of these people. However when he eventually does get back and is sat in front of the back four the 6ft 2in figure of the Ivorian simply puts pressure on the opponents. He is comfortable on the ball and can play more or less play any pass you require of him.
This year, although he has only scored 9 goals to date some have them have been vital, for example: the opener away at Southampton, the second that sealed the game away at Aston Villa, the winner against Swansea at home and the winner at home to Everton. In recent games a moment of magic from Yaya could have been pivotal and earned the champions a few more points than the two from the three games City have played with Touré absent.
Touré as one of the senior players in the team must add at least a bit of leadership to the squad – with Kompany out until a couple of games ago and with Joe Hart as captain it really did look like they lacked a leader out there. Furthermore when positioned usually aside Fernando or Fernandinho in the centre of midfield he must give one of the Brazilian pair, whoever is picked by Pellegrini, a big confidence boost. In recent games Fernando in particular has looked a bit nervous on the ball, losing it regularly and not breaking up play as well as a defensive midfielder really should do.
It is not only Touré who City have missed in recent weeks but their new Ivorian striker Wilfried Bony also. With Agüero being out injured already this year, as well as Džeko and Jovetić off on the sidelines too City have at times missed the luxury of a fourth striker like we had last year in the form of Alvaro Negredo. With Jovetić and Džeko scoring just the 9 goals between them this season in all competitions, all the pressure has been put on Agüero who has scored 19 so far. This has shown in recent weeks with Aguero just coming back from injury and regaining fitness the team has only scored two goals in their last four games. I’m sure Bony will thrive in a City shirt and make a huge difference to the team when he eventually does play.
So City will be without the Ivorian pair for their Premier League clash at the Etihad on Saturday against Hull but they should be back for the game away at Stoke which is a week on Wednesday (the 11th February). Although if Ivory Coast do make it to the final of the African Cup of Nations, as they did three years ago, it will be unlikely that they start at the Britannia Stadium with them playing in the final just 72 hours before. It will be relief to all at City when the pair do eventually return to the team.
