Manchester City will be losing star midfielder Yaya Touré for up to a month during January, as the Ivory Coast international will be travelling to Africa in order to take part in the Africa Cup of Nations.
Touré is one of the popular names in African football and the 31-year-old is expected to provide a major lift to Ivory Coast in the efforts to finally win this trophy with the so-called Golden generation. Players like Didier Drogba representing some of the biggest clubs in the world, but we were unable to take Ivory Coast to success in this competition.
Ivory Coast have even been labelled as chokers after having come very close on several occasions in the last five years. Touré is determined to put this record to the end and he travels to Africa in the best possible shape. After starting the season poorly, the 31-year-old is finally starting to make his presence felt in the team. He once again proved to be the difference during the recent league match against Sunderland. He scored the opening goal that ultimately paved the way for a 3-2 win. Touré has scored seven league goals in 18 appearances this campaign. Striker Stevan Jovetic, though, reckons that City can cope with the loss.
“They [Chelsea] can think what they want, but we don’t depend on one player. People said that when we lost Kun, but we have won seven or eight games without him.
Hopefully, Kun will be back soon as well, as we need him. Frank can help fill the gap Yaya leaves. We know Yaya is an important player for us, but he has games with his national team. I wish him luck, but hope he can come back soon and finish what he started,” saidJovetic, who also praised Frank Lampard’s incredible professionalism.