Yaya Toure: I want to end my career at Manchester City

Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure said that he wants to stay with the Premier League champions for the rest of his career, and enjoys the freedom Roberto Mancini has given him as opposed to the more restricted role he had at Barcelona.

The Ivory Coast international inspired the Citizens to the title last season with his powerful displays, but they now lag 15 points behind rivals Manchester United as they look to defend their title.

With the club needing a win over Chelsea on Sunday afternoon to realistically stay in the hunt for the championship, the 29-year-old believes the Etihad Stadium is the perfect place for him and will not give up the fight.

"I want to give all to this club for a long time," Toure told The Sun. "It's quite strange because all my career I've been with clubs for two or three years.

"Normally I change clubs after one or two years, but it's different here. I want to stay longer. Sometimes you're not happy with something or you don't feel comfortable in the city and you need change - but not here.

"Of course I'd like to end my career here. For three years it has been enjoyable to be with guys who love you, guys who care about you."

The former La Liga star believes his more advanced role in a quicker league suits his style, and he has credited Mancini with helping him to improve his game.

"It was [Mancini] who decided to put me more forward," Toure said. "Since coming to City, I have enjoyed my football more, because my game is all about attack and what I did at Barcelona was quite different.

"In England the football is all about power, strong running and tackling. I feel like this is home for me and the fans are lovely."

City's collapse in form coincided with Toure's absence at the Africa Cup of Nations, and he says he is pained by missing out for the club as it ceded the initiative in the title race to Sir Alex Ferguson's side.

"When your friends need you and you are away it's always harder," Toure added. "You want to be with them. It's always difficult - I'm African and the tournament makes us leave for one month.

"Your club have to play hard games. Sometimes I feel sad. When I was away we didn't get the right results and January is always hard because we have to play every three days. But it's part of football - we can do nothing about it."