Pellegrini: Pogba still has plenty to learn to be in same class as Yaya

MANCHESTER CITY manager Manuel Pellegrini does not think £60millionrated Juventus star Paul Pogba, 22, compares with his own powerhouse midfielder Yaya Toure.

Pogba, who will be the main threat to City at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday, was linked with a move to City or Manchester United last summer, having helped his club to the Serie A title and the Champions League final. He will also be viewed as France’s main man when they host Euro 2016.

Pogba, who sees himself at Barcelona one day, rejected overtures from Europe’s big clubs because he thinks being settled will help his preparation for the Euros.

His power and goal threat are similar to that of Toure, who is a decade older but Pellegrini insists: ‘I don’t think it’s fair to compare a young player who is just starting with Yaya Toure who has had a brilliant career. He [Pogba] must arrive to do what Yaya has done in his career.

‘Pogba is a very young player and when you’re young you have the chance to continue improving. That’s why it can be important to buy young players because they have more chances to improve.’

Toure has started this season well after disappointing in the last campaign. ‘We are seeing the same Yaya as my first season when we won the Premier League,’ added Pellegrini.

Having spent big on Raheem Sterling and Kevin de Bruyne this summer following a period of financial fair play transfer restrictions, this European campaign is a huge one for Pellegrini.

‘It’s a difficult group because we play against teams from the most important leagues of Europe,’ said Pellegrini.

‘Juventus have lost some very important players like Andrea Pirlo, Arturo Vidal and Carlos Tevez but they still have others who are very good and signed big players (Paolo Dybala, Alex Sandro).

‘We have won two Premier Leagues but it is impossible to be remembered as a great team if you do not win the Champions League.’