Manchester City boss fires warning to outcast midfielder

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has fired a warning to Yaya Toure after omitting him from the squad for Wednesday’s clash with Feyenoord in the Champions League.

Toure has not featured for City so far this season and was not even included in the travelling squad for their clash with Feyenoord fuelling speculation about the Ivorian’s relationship with Guardiola.

The 34-year-old was exiled by the City manager at this stage of last season and looked destined to leave the club only to cap a remarkable turnaround by establishing himself as a first team regular in the second half of the campaign.

Toure was rewarded with a new 12-month contract in the summer, but Guardiola has fired a fresh warning to the experienced midfielder.

“I spoke with him and he knows the reason why but it’s between him and me,” The Daily Telegraph quote Guardiola as saying.

“No, no, no. It’s a sporting decision,” Guardiola responded when asked whether it was something Toure had done in training. “He was so important last season. Six players finished their contract and he was the only one who stayed because he’s a special player.

“But the decision is he didn’t play the last game and today he is not in the squad and he knows the reason why. Hopefully [he will play soon]. It depends on the player.

“I’m always happy [with Toure] - but of course I demand as much as possible. I want more, not just from Yaya - I want more from everyone.”

With a glut of attacking talent at Guardiola’s disposal, City have tended to play only one recognised central midfielder so far this season, which has come at the expense of Toure.

His first team opportunities aren’t likely to improve anytime soon either given Ilkay Gundogan is also back fit and ready to kickstart his City career.

Toure averaged more passes per Premier League game (71.9) than any other City player last season, illustrating his importance to Guardiola during the second half of the 16/17 campaign.