Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola has finally agreed that shutting out Yaya Toure from his squad may have been a big mistake. Toure was instrumental in City’s 2-1 win against Crystal Palace, scoring both the goals.
Almost three months after being banished from the Manchester City squad, Toure returned to Guardiola’s starting XI to help the club grab all three points from Palace.
The City manager also admitted that he never doubted the quality Yaya Toure has to offer, “I'm here to take decisions. Maybe I make mistakes, but I have to take decisions, and I respect that all the people cannot agree with me. That happened,” said Guardiola.
Also Read: EPL 2016/17: Yaya Toure returns and hurts Palace with match winning brace
Pep also added that he held many talks with Toure in the last month and knew what kind of player he is having worked with him at Barcelona.
“I spoke in the last month, many times with Yaya because he was my player with Barcelona, I know him very well. So I know how he is like a player.
“As a player there is no doubt – if there was a doubt, he would not be here. He is another guy to compete with our midfield players and increase our level.”
The Spanish manager says that it will be difficult for City to win the Premier League if they continue playing like they had against Palace.
“Of course, now he's not able to play on Wednesday, or in the last game against Celtic,” Guardiola said.
“If we are able to qualify in the Champions League, after, I will sit with my staff and we will decide who are the best players to help us to achieve in the Champions League games.”
Also Read: Interview with Manuel Pellegrini: "Pep Guardiola will continue my success at Manchester City"
Guardiola will be disappointed about not including the 33-year-old in his Champions League squad as they will be missing the midfielder’s dynamism when they play Borussia Monchengladbach on Wednesday. Guardiola will perhaps include the Ivory Coast international to his squad if City manages to qualify from the group stages.
Toure was in total control of Manchester City’s midfield on Saturday, scoring two goals from two shots which turned the tie in the London club's favour.
Manchester City will face Burnley in their next Premier League fixture, who are no pushover, having already taken points off many big teams this season including the likes of Liverpool and Manchester United.
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