When Pep Guardiola was announced as Manchester City manager-in waiting back in January, it was always going to be interesting as to how Yaya Toure, and more importantly his agent Dmitri Seluk, would handle the situation. After the last few days, the answer is an emphatic, “not very well”.
Six years ago, Seluk introduced himself to English football through his prize-client Yaya Toure. With the exception of the Ivorian, Seluk’s client base is not well known in English footballing circles, but with a bit of self-promotion, the Ukrainian agent has centred himself right in the middle of various feuds between Yaya Toure and Manchester City.
When Guardiola arrived at City, it was clear what he wanted from his players. If you’re not at the correct weight, you don’t train with the first team. That was the end of Samir Nasri.
If you’re not good with your feet, you don’t play for the first team; Joe Hart is now at Torino.
If you’re not willing to run around the pitch like a headless chicken in order to regain possession, you don’t play for the first team. That last point has seen to Yaya Toure.
Toure has the ability to take a grasp of games and steer City into the driving seat. Unfortunately that ability hasn’t been seen for years. He was once omnipotent on the pitch, with no equal, but he’s now so lethargic that there was never any real prospect of him fitting into Guardiola’s plans. All of this has seen him marginalised, yet Seluk is convinced that this is a personal attack on the crown jewel of his footballer portfolio.
How strong is Seluk’s position?
Seluk has controlled Toure’s affairs for 15 years and such is the strength of their bond, Toure named his eldest son after his agent. It’s fair to say that Seluk’s career has been forged on the back of the 33-year old Ivorian’s success. Toure’s success has enabled Seluk to purchase houses in Barcelona and Monaco, as well as secure new riches through sponsorship deals.
He once said, “I like my players more than money,” yet it’s remarkable that every time that there’s been a fuss over Toure in the last 6 years at City, both player and agent have emerged with more money.
That’s the strength of Seluk’s position with Yaya Toure. But how strong is he at Manchester City?
Seluk could hardly be in a weaker position at City. In his 24 hour war with Guardiola this week, he’s got one thing absolutely right. Guardiola is king of Manchester at the moment and he has undeniably higher ground. This makes this latest battle all the more bizarre, as instead of backing down and being contrite, Seluk is just as belligerent as ever. His comments are hardly helping his client to even make an appearance in the first team changing rooms, let alone the bench or god forbid, the starting XI.
Why is this incident the final straw?
Seluk presents former Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini as the victim. To an extent, he’s correct, considering how news of Guardiola’s announcement was released. But the reality is that the Chilean was keeping the seat warm for Guardiola and in fact, City were stuck in a state of flux for two years under their previous manager. Let’s not forget that it’s been two years since they won the title.
It seems obvious, but Pellegrini would have to rely on individuals to win him games. After all, how many games did City win without Vincent Kompany, Yaya Toure, Sergio Aguero or David Silva? Pellegrini had three years to construct a team with a philosophy, more than enough time, but knowing full well that he was likely to be replaced, he decided not to.
On the other hand, Guardiola was always going to be given the chance to build a team, one that doesn’t revolve around individuals. Just a mere five games in and the contrast so far couldn’t be more different. Neither Kompany nor Toure have played, whilst Aguero is serving a ban. Five wins from five games and it’s blindingly obvious that there’s no room for an ageing midfielder who’s been on the decline for a while.
Where next for Yaya Toure?
Toure’s contract expires at the end of the season and he’s free to talk to other clubs in January, but his wages of £225,000 per week will prove a considerable stumbling block, considering Seluk seems unlikely to negotiate a cut. Even if he was prepared to take a pay decrease, any potential suitors would want to see their target in action. If Seluk’s reluctant to apologise, Guardiola won’t pick him and no one will actually see him play a game.
He won’t be short of offers from China, but he’s already hinted that he wants to stay in Europe. Is he worth the risk?
Seluk would say that he is, but he should be quiet as for much of Toure’s career, all he’s done is interfered and caused trouble.
Dimitri Seluk Quotes
On Yaya Toure being linked with move from Barcelona to Manchester City, November 2009
“If Yaya leave Barcelona he won’t go to Manchester City, he will sign for a club that’s much more important.”
On difficulties surrounding Toure’s contract talks at City, March 2013
“Around the stadium while there are pictures of every player of City commemorating recent successes, there is not a single one of Yaya. At the club shop, you can find shirts to buy, with the names of every player, but not Yaya. By Saturday, we will say ‘Thank you. Yaya leaves in May.’
On City failing to celebrate Toure’s birthday sufficiently, May 2014
“The club’s owners ate a 100kg cake after winning the Premier League this season, but when they and the players were all together, none of them shook his hand on his birthday. It shows they don’t care about him.”
On Pep Guardiola being linked with City, January 2016
“My grandfather would win the title with Barcelona and Bayern, because they are big clubs with great players.”
On Guardiola’s appointment at City, February 2016
“Yaya won every trophy in England without Guardiola. Will Guardiola win without Yaya?”
On Toure being left out of City’s Champions League squad, September 2016
“If City don’t win the Champions League, I hope Pep has the balls to admit he was wrong to humiliate a great player like Yaya. If he wins I will travel to England and say that Pep is the best manager in the world.”
On Guardiola demanding an apology, September 2016
“If Guardiola wants a war, then he can have one. I felt that Pep was being vindictive to Yaya… It was Messi who made Barca, not Pep. Luis Enrique has shown that Barca’s success was not down to Guardiola… If Pep wants to prove himself as a great manager, then he should go to Zaragoza or Sunderland. Let’s see how good he is when he doesn’t take over a great team and hasn’t got half-a-billion pounds to spend.”