Yaya Toure has been left out of Manchester City’s Champions League squad.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has left midfielder Yaya Toure out of his Champions League 2016-17 squad.
The news will shock fans and come as a blow to Toure who has played a part in all of City’s trophy wins. The UEFA Champions League rules mean that City could not include more than 17 overseas players in their squad.
Clubs can change three players after the group stage, so Toure could still feature in the competition. However, the Ivory Coast international will not be able to play against Borussia Monchengladbach, Celtic, or former club Barcelona.
Toure played under Guardiola during his time at Barcelona but speculation began that both Toure and Guardiola didn’t get on, with Pep effectively forcing the midfielder out of the Spanish club and selling the 33-year-old to Manchester City for £25 million in 2010.
The midfielder has established himself over the years as one of the best in the world. However, he has played just once this season, during the second leg of the Champions League play-off against Steaua Bucharest.
It was rumoured the 33-year-old might leave the club following Guardiola’s arrival, However no deal had materialised between any clubs this transfer window. Toure’s contract with City expires in 2017.
Joe Hart is another player Guardiola is not interested in
Toure joins goalkeeper Joe Hart in the list of players who are not in Guardiola’s plans – both players have had a huge impact at City over the years, but the Spanish manager has chosen to snub the pair.
Here’s how City fans took the news that Toure will not feature in their Champions League squad:
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