Yaya Toure has been no stranger to controversy in recent times at Manchester City and it’s now been quite mandatory for his agent to spark talk of a move away every summer.
But now it seems he has his heart set on remaining with the club for a lengthy period, and wants to become City’s answer Paolo Maldini.
The Ivorian powerhouse has revealed that he feels obliged to end his playing career with City, in a similar fashion to how Italian defender Maldini did at AC Milan.
Maldini was a one-club man, plying his trade at Milan for his entire career before hanging up his boots at the age of 40.
And Toure wants to follow in his footsteps.
“That’s the dream for all the players,” said the 32-year old. “I was trying to convince some players to continue at the club and they said ‘why?’
“Because it was the case of Maldini, it was the case of (Franco Baresi), of (Alessandro) Del Piero – so many important players. (Francesco) Totti as well.
“They are staying long at the club.”
Toure continued, showing appreciation for the fans and how they are spurring him on to want to remain at the Etihad for years to come.
“The fans are doing brilliant for this club. When people show you loyalty, nothing is going by. That’s why I want to stay City. I want to stay long.”
There was a lot of talk of Toure departing the Etihad this summer, with Roberto Mancini’s Inter Milan seen as potential suitors. But despite not getting any younger, the former Barcelona man now intends of staying at City for a prolonged period. Perhaps his best days have passed but having seen what he has done for the club, it would be rewarding and refreshing for City fans to see him end his career with the Blues.
