City boss defends 'liability' Yaya Toure after criticism from former midfielder Hamann

EPL: Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini has leapt to the defence of Yaya Toure after criticism that the Ivory Coast powerhouse is a ‘defensive liability’. Ex-City midfielder Dietmar Hamann claimed on Match of the Day that Toure, 30, was a major reason behind the club’s indifferent defensive record as he failed to track runners.

Pellegrini accepts it is too late to change Toure’s style of play but insisted his scoring record this season compensated for any failure to help Fernandinho protect the defence. ‘Everyone is entitled to an opinion — I respect that,’ said City’s manager.

‘But I think the team are playing the way I want and Yaya is a very important player for us. Yaya has scored 12 goals this season.

'He gives us a lot. My team are playing the way I like. It’s a creative team, an offensive team.’

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