Yaya Touré is the wrong target when blaming Manchester City's recent struggles
On June 20, soccer fans were immersed in the latest news from the World Cup. They were still reflecting on Luis Suarez’s brace against England the previous night and then they watched with disbelief as Costa Rica shocked Italy. There was also the eye-catching opening performance from the French, who easily brushed past Switzerland, racking up five goals in the process. Lost in the bedlam of it all was a story that filtered through from Manchester. A 28-year-old soccer player called Ibrahim Touré had died after a battle with cancer.
The younger brother of Yaya Touré and Kolo Touré, he was diagnosed with the illness just months before. The three brothers were close. In January, Ibrahim spoke to FIFA.com and revealed that he talked with his siblings at least three times per week despite the geographical and professional divide: his older brothers were established Premier League players while Ibrahim was plying his trade with Lebanese side Al-Safa.
Ibrahim died while receiving treatment at The Christie in Manchester, the largest cancer centre in Europe. It’s 20 minutes from Carrington where Manchester City’s training complex is located.
After Ibrahim’s death, both of his brothers decided to remain in Brazil to see out the rest of the World Cup. The Ivory Coast’s last group game, a winner-takes-all clash against Greece, was played under a dark cloud and unsurprisingly proved an anti-climax for the country. The Greeks won 2-1 and with the three points they qualified for the knockout stages and the African giants were eliminated.
On the morning of the game, Yaya’s World Cup column for France Football was posted online (article in French). He spoke about his brother’s death and gave a startling insight into the ruthlessness of modern soccer:
“Manchester City didn't want to give me these few days. I went to celebrate winning the title in Abu Dhabi when my little brother was dying in his bed. Later I was annoyed with myself for not insisting. For not having made them respect me. However my directors knew that I was suffering for a few months watching the health of my brother decline.”
Twelve days later, the brothers were in Abidjan, burying Ibrahim. The entire process was harrowing and surreal.
And so, here we are. Yaya Touré, so often a match-winner for Manchester City, is now subject to substantial criticism and ridicule. In his six games for the club this season (not counting the Community Shield or League Cup), he’s failed to score or make a goal. In the aftermath of the club’s last Champions League tie against Bayern Munich, Touré was singled out owing to his alleged lack of commitment, heart and desire. As the teams walked off the pitch at the Allianz Arena, Touré shared an embrace with his former manager Pep Guardiola. At Barcelona, Touré made his name and won two league titles, one Champions League, a Copa del Rey, a UEFA Super Cup and a FIFA Club World Cup. Under the guidance of Guardiola, he became a high-profile player. There’s a respect, an admiration, a friendship of-sorts. But Touré’s behaviour post game was castigated by certain sectors of City’s support.
Last term, Touré scored 20 league goals in 35 appearances and created nine more. He scored more Premier League goals than Sergio Aguero, Wayne Rooney, Olivier Giroud, Edin Dzeko and Robin van Persie. He was the driving force behind the club regaining the championship. Yet, after a slow start to the current campaign, he’s quickly becoming a neat and easy scapegoat.
Many who gorge on soccer are aware of the machinations. The money, the agents, the greed, the governing body, the corruption, the whole sleazy mess. The sport sold its soul a long time ago and has no desire to buy it back. But sometimes the cynicism is overbearing. Sometimes, the short-term memories are energy-sapping. Sometimes, the tangents and the agendas are tiresome.
In February, Manchester City were struggling. They had lost to Chelsea at Eastlands and were then held scoreless at Carrow Road by lowly Norwich. Ten days later, they were beaten at home by Barcelona in a Champions League clash. Next up was a game against Stoke. For 70 minutes, it was scoreless and City’s hopes of a Premier League title were rapidly disappearing. Then, Touré popped up in the area to stab the ball home from close range. When it mattered most, Touré delivered. That day, he was everywhere and drove on City. Staring down the barrel of a missed opportunity, Touré stood up and delivered. It may not have appeared like much at the time but from the next 36 points available, City claimed 29. It kick-started their title challenge and gave them belief again.
This summer, there was talk that Touré could leave Manchester City. He felt a disconnect. He was outspoken in his criticisms. But he had also just suffered a personal trauma. In that France Football column, Touré seems overcome with guilt. As his brother lay in a hospice, he was playing soccer for his club. As he went to a World Cup, his brother was close to death.
Sometimes, we forget that elite athletes aren’t machines. Various problems can permeate and affect performance. Sometimes, we get caught in the pantomime and the drama of it all. Sometimes we prefer the brash headlines and the tabloid treatment. Sometimes we should just know better.
Manchester City, with two league titles in three years, certainly don’t need a scapegoat. If they ever did, Yaya Touré should be at the very bottom of the list.
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Eoin O'Callaghan is a soccer journalist and broadcaster. Best known in North America for his TV work with Fox Soccer, he has also reported extensively for BBC, RTE and Setanta Sports. He writes about soccer for The Irish Examiner newspaper, beIN Sports, One World Sports and TheScore.ie. Follow him @EoinOCallaghan
