The Ivorian titan has become one of the world's most sought after box-to-box midfielders, a role he has revelled in under Roberto Mancini. And let it not be mistaken how much Yaya owes to his Italian boss...
At Barcelona, Toure was considered a defensive-midfielder and was often employed as a central defender under Pep Guardiola. His attacking prowess was never allowed to flourish in La Liga and his goalscoring record was poor with only 6 goals in 117 appearances for the Spanish club.
The transformation in Yaya's style of play since his move to the Premier League is nothing short of miraculous. In 117 appearances for Manchester City (and in his new role), the big man has netted over 4 times as many goals helping the Citizens to their FA Cup (2010/2011), Barclays Premier League (2011/2012) and Community Shield (2012/2013) successes in the last three years. In this time, he has also been awarded with the 2011 and 2012 African Player of the Year awards.
Stories emerging about his future today therefore come as a massive shock to all City fans. His agent, Dimitri Seluk, has suggested his client is ready to leave if he is not offered a new contract by Saturday of this week. According to Seluk, talks regarding Yaya's contract have been ongoing for six months and have still not progressed in an favourable manner. Although the Blues have said they are 'relaxed' about his contract situation, the story leaves their fans on edge as they wait in the dark over their star player's future.
Stats
Age: 29
Career Appearances/Goals: 403/47
2012/2013 Appearances/Goals: 27/6
2012/2013 League Assists: 3
Notable Honours: Champions League 2008/2009, Club World Cup 2009, FA Cup 2010/2011, Barclays Premier League 2011/2012, African Player of the Year 2011, 2012, Premier League Team of the Year 2011/2012, Community Shield 2012
Unsurprisingly, Yaya has acquired all of his personal accolades under Roberto Mancini. Should Yaya go, he'll be leaving behind his greatest mentor, his greatest fans and most importantly, the respect of the footballing world.
So who can replace him?
Whilst every blue holds the hope that the big Ivorian will stay, there will always be targets in mind should he actually leave the club.
To find out who some of these targets might include, I took to twitter and asked around...
Daniele De Rossi
(Suggested by: @ardwick_afc & @TommyH_95)
Age: 29
Club: AS Roma
Career Appearances/Goals: 410/47
2012/2013 Appearances/Goals: 21/0
2012/2013 League Assists: 2
Notable Honours: World Cup 2006, Italian Player of the Year 2009, Euro 2012 Team of the Tournament
What the loyal Italian lacks in goals, he makes up for in experience. The 29 year old is a World Cup winner who's combative style would suit perfectly in City's midfield. His versatility also means he can play in defence, however, he lacks the creativity and attacking threat of Yaya.
Marouane Fellaini
(Suggested by: @DanHainey & @aMusedInBaby)
Age: 25
Club: Everton
Career Appearances/Goals: 250/43
2012/2013 Appearances/Goals: 29/12
2012/2013 League Assists: 5
Notable Honours: Premier League Player of the Month November 2012
The feisty Belgian has been one of the stars of the season this year and has propelled his club into 6th place in the league. Fellaini is well on track to overtake Yaya's career goalscoring record and has netted nearly as many times as the Ivorian in 160 less appearances. His assist record this year is also better, however, is he good enough to fill Yaya's boots? Not many think so.
Toni Kroos
(Suggested by: @Binkers831)
Age: 23
Club: Bayern Munich
Career Appearances/Goals: 213/34
2012/2013 Appearances/Goals: 35/9
2012/2013 League Assists: 7
Notable Honours: World Cup Bronze Medal 2010, Champions League Runner Up 2011/2012
The young German has already got bags of experience, but is yet to get his hands on a gold medal. Kroos was part of Germany's world cup team that came 3rd place in 2010 and Bayern's tragic penalty defeat to Chelsea last year and the Bayern midfielder will be hoping for Champion's League success this year. Although he might be young, Kroos is already establishing himself as one of Europe's best midfielders and could provide City with some much needed energy in the centre of the park.
Arturo Vidal
(Suggested by: @MCFCStatistics & @TommyH_95)
Age: 25
Club: Juventus
Career Appearances/Goals: 269/43
2012/2013 Appearances/Goals: 34/10
2012/2013 League Assists: 7
Notable Honours: Serie A 2011/2012, Supercoppa Italiana 2012
'The Warrior' was instrumental in Juventus' invincible title winning season last year and his impressive goal/assist record in this 2012/2013 season has alerted a number of Europe's top clubs. The Chileans tenacity and tireless style is something Yaya lacks and the South American is the player I'd hand pick to fill his place in midfield.
Ilkay Gundogan
(Suggested by: @SamuelCurtin0 & TommyH_95)
Age: 22
Club: Borussia Dortmund
Career Appearances/Goals: 98/11
2012/2013 Appearances/Goals: 22/1
2012/2013 League Assists: 2
Notable Honours: Bundesliga 2011/2012
Unlike Kroos, Borussia's Ilkay Gundogan doesn't possess a great deal of experience. Despite this, he has formed a lethal duo with his German counterpart Mario Gotze in the centre of Jurgen Klopp's midfield which saw Die Schwarzgelben beat Bayern Munich to the Bundesliga title last year. With his help, Dortmund have also made the quarter finals of this years Champions League in which they savaged Manchester City in the group stages. Although Gundogan (labelled as 'the new Ozil') may be too young to fill Yaya's void right now, he'll definitely be a contender in the future.
Claudio Marchisio
(Suggested by: @TommyH_95)
Age: 27
Club: Juventus
Career Appearances/Goals: 234/26
2012/2013 Appearances/Goals: 32/7
2012/2013 League Assists: 7
Notable Honours: Serie A 2011/2012, Euro 2012 Runner Up
Known for his pace, versitality and tenacity, Claudio Marchisio has established himself as Italy's new Francesco Totti. Along with Arturo Vidal he has formed a frightening partnership in Juventus' midfield firing them to an unbeaten Serie A title win last season. With Juventus still in the Champions League and sitting firmly on top of the league table, it is unlikely that the Italian star will consider a move in the summer.
Sergio Busquets
(Suggested by: @aMusedInBaby)
Age: 24
Club: Barcelona
Career Appearances/Goals: 266/9
2012/2013 Appearances/Goals: 37/1
2012/2013 League Assists: 2
Notable Honours: La Liga 2008/2009, 2009/2010, 2010/2011, Copa Del Rey 2008/2009, 2011,2012, Champions League 2008/2009, 2010/2011, Club World Cup 2009, 2011, La Liga Breakthrough Player 2009, World Cup 2010, European Championship 2012, Euro 2012 Team of the Tournament
When you're part of the Barcelona and the Spain squad it's not hard to experience success, and Barca's 24 year old midfielder has certainly had a lot of that. Busquets sits in front of the back four and plays as a defensive midfielder, leaving Xavi, Iniesta and Messi to create the chances for the team. This is reflected in his poor goalscoring/assist record, however, is Busquests just another Yaya Toure waiting to show the world his attacking abilities?
Other Suggestions
Joao Moutinho (Suggested by: @ammar9518)
Bastian Schweinsteiger (Suggested by: @benashworth2)
Alex Song (Suggested by: @benashworth2)
Esteban Cambiasso (Suggested by: @benashworth2)
Sven Bender (Suggested by: @benashworth2)
Gabi Fernandez (Suggested by: @benashworth2)
Yohan Cabaye (Suggested by: @benashworth2)
Kevin Prince Boateng (Suggest by: @Dembe_MCFC)
Cesc Fabregas (Suggested by: @Dembe_MCFC)
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