Pep Guardiola plays down Yaya Toure's absence from Man City's Champions League play-off
Tuesday 16 August 2016 08:46, UK
Pep Guardiola insists Yaya Toure was not included in Manchester City's Champions League squad because he is better off training at the Etihad Campus.
Toure was not included in the 18-man match-day squad for City's opening win over Sunderland, leading to reports that his future could lie away from the club.
The 33-year-old's agent told Sky Sports News HQ on Monday that Toure wants to stay and fight for his place and Guardiola appeared to assure Toure he has a part to play in his team.
At a press conference in Romania ahead of their Champions League play-off against Steaua Bucharest, City boss Guardiola said: "He is much, much better in the last few days.
"But I wasn't sure he was going to play so I prefer to leave him there, training well in Manchester and looking forward to the next game.
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"We travelled with young guys (Angus Gunn, Tosin Adarabioyo and Angel Tasende) who may stay out of the selection, and I prefer that to be the young guys than Yaya Toure.
"I respect a lot his career and his qualities but, in the first days, especially against Sunderland, we were looking for a more intensive game, that is the only reason he didn't play."
Joe Hart, whose demotion to the bench on Saturday sparked discussion that his time at the club maybe over, has been included in the squad to face Steaua, but Guardiola would not be drawn on the player.
He said only that "since I arrived at Manchester City, the time together with Joe was perfect; his behaviour, his training sessions, on the pitch off the pitch. He is a big professional."
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