I’M THE DADDY
Yaya reckons he’s got more years in him Legend wants to stay and help nurture Pep kids
YAYA TOURE is revelling in his role as the daddy of Manchester City.
The Ivorian midfielder has turned back the years since making his peace with Pep Guardiola and is hoping his influence on City’s brat pack will earn him a new contract.
Sunday Mirror Sport understands that Guardiola is still to decide whether to offer the 33-year-old the chance to extend his seven- year stay at the Etihad.
But when asked how long he can continue at the highest level, Toure insisted: “I can go on for another five years. You don’t believe me? OK, let’s make a bet.”
Noting the glint in Toure’s eyes, it wasn’t a risk worth taking.
The man, who may arguably be remembered as one of the greatest players in the club’s history, has shed weight and gained an admirer in Guardiola.
The City boss has been tasked with reducing the average age of the squad he inherited from Manuel Pellegrini. And teaming up John Stones, Leroy Sane and teenage Brazilian sensation Gabriel Jesus with Raheem Sterling has given Toure the belief that the future is sky blue.
He wants a piece of the action – and reckons that the club’s senior citizens still have a big role to play under Pep.
“The new guys have a big potential,” said Toure. “Sane has been unbelievable, Raheem has always been very good, and we are seeing what Jesus can do. But sometimes, when you are young, you start to think that football is easy.
“They have got to keep working hard, pushing all the time to improve, because the moment you think you have arrived can also be the moment when you start to slip. That’s why the experienced players are important. Me, Vincent (Kompany), David (Silva), Zaba (Pablo Zabaleta), we are pushing them all the time to get better.
“This club is all about winning trophies. When new players come in, they have fantastic skill, but they also have to learn the winning mentality.”
Toure was given a similar grounding at Barcelona. “When we get a free-kick or a penalty, I see the young players look at me and step aside,” he said.
“I was the same at Barcelona. We would get a free-kick and it was always left to Deco or Ronaldinho or Messi or X Xavi. But if a player feels he can make s something happen, then I will a always step aside.
“Sometimes Kevin De Bruyne feels it and I say, ‘Go ahead’. Kevin has the confidence to challenge the older players and the young boys we have also have to learn when to step up. I think I can help.”
Toure also has experience of how a title race can turn in an instant. In 2012, City became champions for the first time in 44 years, despite trailing Manchester United by eight points with six games remaining.
Two years later, they waited for Liverpool to slip before, again, taking the title in the final game of the season.
City travel to Bournemouth tomorrow, looking to keep their hopes alive after Jesus struck an injury-time winner to defeat Swansea last weekend.
And Toure said: “When we were champions, both times we had to have a perfect end to the season. I think this year can be the same – but we all have to believe it. We can have an influence on Chelsea because, if we keep winning, then they have to keep on winning.
“They only need one or two bad results and suddenly the race is open again. That is when the pressure is at its biggest – and we remember what the pressure did to United and Liverpool.
“Both times we had the mentality – and now we must try to do the same.
“Against Swansea we found a way to win the game in the last minute and that can be a big moment for us.
“Victories like that always give you a big lift. They make you believe that you can do it.”