I want to make history! Yaya Toure pledges to stay at City for rest of his career
By Ian Ladyman
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Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure has given Roberto Mancini a huge boost by revealing he wants to stay at the club for the rest of his career.
City boss Mancini will speak to the media on Monday morning under a little pressure ahead of Tuesday night’s Champions League game at home to Ajax.
But Toure has dismissed suggestions of rifts in the City dressing room and revealed he would like to sign a new contract at the Barclays Premier League champions.
Here to stay: Yaya Toure (left) wants to remain at Manchester City
Tour told French football paper L’Equipe: 'I want to make history with this club, I want to end my career here.
'I'm pretty sure and I hope that when I'm an old man, sat around, they will still talk about me here.
'Of course there are rows at big club, with all the people with different egos, including mine.
'But we will be okay. I am still confident.'
And Mancini welcomed Toure's declaration.
When asked if that could mean a new contract for the midfielder, Mancini said: 'I think so because Yaya for us is a very important player and for me, personally, he is one of the best players in Europe.
'In my life, I saw a lot of big players and I think Yaya is part of this.'
Mancini accepts Toure has not been at his dynamic best in recent weeks, with the powerful runs that became his trademark during last season's Barclays Premier League title-winning campaign having been less frequent.
Struggle: City were unable to breakdown West Ham on Saturday
But injuries to other players have meant Toure having to compensate and Mancini has no concerns over his form.
Mancini said: 'Probably because we had
many injuries, many important players like David Silva. If we play
David, Samir (Nasri) - Yaya will play better, this is sure. But also
when Yaya is not 100 per cent he is important for us.'
City are bottom of their Champions League group after defeats to Ajax and Real Madrid and a home draw with Borussia Dortmund.
Mancini’s team need to win at the Etihad Stadium if they are to have any chance of qualifying for the knock-out stages.
City were held to a goalless draw at West Ham on Saturday as their city rivals United went top of the Premier League.
Under pressure: Roberto Mancini is feeling the heat over City's season
Asked about Toure’s admission that there are egos in City dressing room, Mancini said on Monday that it shouldn’t be a barrier to winning football.
Mancini said: 'I don’t have any problem with egos.
'I have played and worked with many players like this.
'They are top players and this is what it is like. It was the same when I was a player.
'It is normal in a squad where you have 40 or 50 players of this level.
'Yaya is a very important player for us. He is one of the best in Europe. I have seen a lot of big players in my life.
'Yaya is up there with all of them.'
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He'll make history alright with the wages he's on.
- Mr Blixx , Manchester, 06/11/2012 04:30
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