‘China would make me angry’ – Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure wants to carry on playing in England

Posted Friday, February 09, 2018 by squawka.com

Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure has insisted he has no plans to leave England, or Europe, after reportedly turning down a big-money move to China.

Toure, 34, was offered a £430,000-per-week contract by an unnamed Chinese Super League club, according to the Manchester Evening News.

And with his contract at Manchester City up at the end of the season, many had expected the Ivorian to move on during the January transfer window.

But with the window now closed, Toure appears hopeful of a new contract with the Citizens or another English club after saying he is "too young" for China.

"Me to China? No….I'm still looking young, right?" he is quoted by the Mirror.

"I want to play in Europe, especially in England. I want to continue doing that for a few years yet.

"It's my idea to stay in England, I always say that if I went to China I would end up feeling angry there. Do you play football because you love football – or do you play because you want to make money? What's the purpose?

"Me, I just want to play football because I enjoy it, I love playing. I enjoy helping my team-mates, I enjoy playing against the big players and teams.

"I want to carry on in that way. Some people have the mentality that they want to do that – to try something different. But for me, my feeling is that I want to play more football."

Toure has played just 11 times across all competitions for City this season and his relationship with manager Pep Guardiola has not been plain sailing; comments made by the player's agent led to period in which Guardiola was frozen out until an apology was made.

Toure's declining playing time at Manchester City
Originally signed from Barcelona in 2010, Toure became a key player for City in their title winning campaigns of 2011/12 and 2013/14.

‘China would make me angry’ – Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure wants to carry on playing in England

Especially impressive under Manuel Pellegrini, Toure averaged 0.62 goals per 90 minutes, playing 35 games during 2013/14 as City beat Liverpool to the title. He is one of only two central midfielders in Premier League history to score 20+ goals in a single season, the other being Frank Lampard.

The Ivorian continued his promising displays with Pellegrini, winning over half of his total duels the following season – his best return over the past five years.

But following the appointment of Guardiola, who originally sold him to City, Toure started being phased out, and moved down the Spaniard's pecking order.

However, the midfielder did then build himself back up, winning 1.30 tackles per 90 in 22 starts last season.

This season Toure has managed just 94 minutes spread across five games in the Premier League with City running away at the top of the table.