Manager Roberto Mancini has harnessed Yaya’s powerful surges from midfield to open up opposition defences, even though the big Ivory Coast star’s speciality was protecting his own back four at the Nou Camp.
But he says: “I prefer playing as a holding midfielder because it is my natural position, but I play for the team, and wherever the boss asks me to play is where I play.
“I enjoy playing in front of the defence because it’s where I feel most comfortable and play my best football, but I am happy to change if asked.”
Yaya didn’t add to his four League goals in the 5-0 FA Cup replay win over Notts County, but fellow midfielder Patrick Vieira snapped up the first two goals with a performance that rolled back the years.
Big fan Toure said: “He scored two very important goals against Notts County. You have to score first in a game like that and then the tie becomes a little easier, as we proved against Notts.
Patrick is very important to our team. He has experience and makes us keep our concentration, because he knows what it takes to win every game
But Yaya is happy to leave the main goalscoring duties to Captain Fantastic Carlos Tevez and his City strike force: “Tevez is a fantastic player. His goal-scoring record is brilliant, he is just as important to us as Messi is to Barcelona.
“He works hard to improve for both the club and the fans. And we need him to finish well this season if we want to be successful in all competitions.”
