In a hugely disappointing interview, experienced City defender Kolo Touré has done himself no favours in slating the club and an up and coming young player…
30 year old Touré’s self serving statements published in France’s ‘So Foot’ magazine are a direct throwback to the Mark Hughes media chaos era at City whereby senior players talked all about themselves as opposed to the aspirations of the squad.
Before we detail some of his comments, it’s worth remembering that Touré is only available to play football now because City suspended him immediately following the revalation of his slimming pill taking stupidity. Subsequently, his wholly justified ban led to him falling down the pecking order at the club, an obvious lack of match fitness and any hope of regaining the captain’s armband post Tévezgate rendered untenable.
But worst of all in this correspondents eyes, he’s chosen the moment of bemoaning his treatment by Manchester City to publically suggest that 20 year old defender Stefan Savic isn’t up to the job:
‘I know my qualities and I have got nothing to prove here in England. They know me here. When you look at the performance of Savic against QPR, excuse me, but I am relaxed.’
Dreadful of course, but he didn’t stop there, going on to register further upset surrounding the African Cup of Nations:
‘To compete in the Africa Cup of Nations is catastrophic for a player these days. Coaches no longer want to sign players because of it. I feel it’s going to be more difficult for the Africans in football in the future. I’m convinced that, if I’m not playing for City, then it’s not only for football reasons. If it was only about that then I would be playing every week. I’m a victim of that and it has to be said. When I was in Angola for the Africa Cup of Nations in 2010 the club hired a plane so that I could get back quickly to play in a game against Manchester United. I could not get back in time and we lost. I believe the club have not got past that and I’m paying for it now.’
As if. I challenge any Blue to not have winced at some of Kolo’s panic stricken, often out of position flapping about in defence which has threatened to become a major characteristic of his game. Put simply, Joleon Lescott and Vincent Kompany have been playing an awful lot better than him, and why begrudge the highly rated young Savic a chance at the top?
Touré then draws attention to his lack of the captain’s armband, inexplicably bringing on strike striker Carlo Tévez into the equation:
‘Clubs at this level always have big squads. It goes one way and then the other. I was captain here and so was Carlos Tévez. He is no longer here and who would have thought that would have happened?’
He closes on potentially dangerous ground by stating that ‘African players are the victim of discrimination.’
His former Arsenal and City colleague Emmanuel Adebayor received overwhelming support from his club and fanbase following a terrible terrorist experience not dissimilar to the support Touré himself received following his ban. Sure he had to fined eventually under club rules but he was hardly banished from Manchester.
Lest we forget Marc-Vivien Foe, an African son and former City player who tragically lost his life so young and is still fondly remembered by our club.
Ironically, City are now entering a pivotal phase in the season and every squad player’s experience and availability will be called upon. Kolo Touré would be sure to realise more game time, particularly when injuries and suspensions kick in. But who wants an off message prima donna needlessly racing across to clear balls in front of full backs thus leaving a gaping hole in central defence behind him?
What a disappointment. Touré always gave the impression he was level headed and prepared to fight for his place, not expecting to have a divine right to it.
UPCOMING FIXTURES:
all times East Manchester
We 07 Dec 19:45 Bayern, The Etihad, CL
Mo 12 Dec 20:00 Chelsea, Stamford Bridge, PL
Su 18 Dec 16:10 Arsenal, The Etihad, PL
We 21 Dec 19:45 Stoke, The Etihad, PL
Mo 26 Dec 15:00 West Brom, The Hawthorns, PL
Su 1 Jan 15:00 Sunderland, Stadium of L, PL
Tu 3 Jan 20:00 Liverpool, The Etihad, PL
Sa/Su 7/8 Jan TBC City v Rags, The Etihad, FAC3
We 11 Jan 19:45 Liverpool, The Etihad, LCSF1
Mo 16 Jan 20:00 Wigan, JD Stadium, PL
Su 22 Jan 13:30 Spurs, The Etihad, PL
We 25 Jan 19:45 Liverpool, Anfield, PL
Share this article
