• Ghana
    • All
    • Boxing
    • Division One League
    • Football
    • Other Sports
    • Women's League
    Ghanaian forward Ragnar Ache scores late winner for Greuther Fürth in victory over Nürnberg

    Ghanaian forward Ragnar Ache scores late winner for Greuther Fürth in victory over Nürnberg

    CHAN 2022: Senegal beat host, Algeria to win first trophy

    CHAN 2022: Senegal beat host, Algeria to win first trophy

    Ghana Premier League: Tamale City 3 – 0 Kotoku Royals – Royals ‘ENSLAVED’ in Tamale

    Ghana Premier League: Tamale City 3 – 0 Kotoku Royals – Royals ‘ENSLAVED’ in Tamale

    • Football
      • Division One League
      • FA Cup
      • Women League
    • Boxing
    • Other Sports
  • GPL
    Ghana Premier League: Tamale City 3 – 0 Kotoku Royals – Royals ‘ENSLAVED’ in Tamale

    Ghana Premier League: Tamale City 3 – 0 Kotoku Royals – Royals ‘ENSLAVED’ in Tamale

    Nurudeen nears Karela switch

    Nurudeen nears Karela switch

    Aduana close in on Hans Kwofie

    Aduana close in on Hans Kwofie

    Ghana Premier League: Accra Lions 3 – 0 Great Olympics – Lions Roar to chase Wonder Boys out of Accra

    Ghana Premier League: Accra Lions 3 – 0 Great Olympics – Lions Roar to chase Wonder Boys out of Accra

  • National Teams
    • All
    • Black Galaxies
    • Black Maidens
    • Black Meteors
    • Black Princesses
    • Black Queens
    • Black Satellites
    • Black Starlets
    • Black Stars
    ‘We must do all we can to deliver on the pitch’ – Kamaldeen Sulemana on Black Stars

    ‘We must do all we can to deliver on the pitch’ – Kamaldeen Sulemana on Black Stars

    Ghanaian defender Jerome Opoku scores as Arouca beat Santa Clara on the road in Portugal League Cup

    Ghana youngster Kamaldeen Sulemana believes young Black Stars can handle pressure

    I’m ready to give my all to ensure Premier League survival for Nottingham Forest – Andre Ayew

    I’m ready to give my all to ensure Premier League survival for Nottingham Forest – Andre Ayew

    The future is bright for the Black Stars – Kamaldeen Sulemana

    The future is bright for the Black Stars – Kamaldeen Sulemana

    • Black Stars
    • Black Queens
    • Black Meteors
    • Black Satellites
    • Black Maidens
    • Black Starlets
    • Black Princesses
  • CAF Competitions
    • All
    • AFCON
    • CAF Champions League
    • CAF Confederation Cup
    • CHAN Tournament
    • World Cup Qualifiers
    CHAN 2022: Senegal beat host, Algeria to win first trophy

    CHAN 2022: Senegal beat host, Algeria to win first trophy

    ‘DISGRACEFUL’ Black Galaxies sneak into Ghana after shambolic display in Algeria

    ‘DISGRACEFUL’ Black Galaxies sneak into Ghana after shambolic display in Algeria

    Ghana captain Andre Ayew congratulates Black Galaxies after beating Sudan

    CHAN 2022:Black Galaxies coach Annor Walker names strong Lineup for Niger Clash

    CHAN 2022: Ghana gaffer Annor Walker speaks ahead of Niger quarterfinal clash

    CHAN 2022: Ghana gaffer Annor Walker speaks ahead of Niger quarterfinal clash

    • CAF Champions League
    • CAF Confederation Cup
    • AFCON
  • Asia
    Great Olympics sign Japanese star Jindo Morishita

    Great Olympics sign Japanese star Jindo Morishita

    OFFICIAL: Ghana captain Andre Ayew leaves Al Sadd

    OFFICIAL: Ghana captain Andre Ayew leaves Al Sadd

    Video: Andre Ayew on target as Al Sadd beat Al-Rayyan

    Video: Andre Ayew on target as Al Sadd beat Al-Rayyan

    Exclusive: Ebenezer Assifuah joins KDA FC

    Exclusive: Ebenezer Assifuah joins KDA FC

    • Players In Asia
  • Europe
    • All
    • UEFA
    Ghanaian forward Ragnar Ache scores late winner for Greuther Fürth in victory over Nürnberg

    Ghanaian forward Ragnar Ache scores late winner for Greuther Fürth in victory over Nürnberg

    ‘UNPLAYABLE’ Ghana youngster  Jesurun Rak-Sakyi grabs eighth goal as Charlton win on the road

    ‘UNPLAYABLE’ Ghana youngster Jesurun Rak-Sakyi grabs eighth goal as Charlton win on the road

    Ghana’s Jeffrey Schlupp scores for Crystal Palace at Old Trafford against Manchester United

    Ghana’s Jeffrey Schlupp scores for Crystal Palace at Old Trafford against Manchester United

    Highly-Gifted Ghana forward Kamaldeen Sulemana makes Premier League debut in Southampton’s loss at Brentford

    Highly-Gifted Ghana forward Kamaldeen Sulemana makes Premier League debut in Southampton’s loss at Brentford

    • Players In Europe
    • UEFA
  • America
    • All
    • Major League Soccer
    • United Soccer League
    Ghanaian winger Eric Oteng joins Las Vegas FC

    Ghanaian winger Eric Oteng joins Las Vegas FC

    ‘Feels good to be back’ – Yaw Yeboah on his return to Columbus Crew

    ‘Feels good to be back’ – Yaw Yeboah on his return to Columbus Crew

    Ghanaian striker Elvis Amoh joins Hartford City FC

    Ghanaian striker Elvis Amoh joins Hartford City FC

    Ghanaian attacker Patrick Agyemang speaks on his journey to becoming an MLS first-round draft pick

    Ghanaian attacker Patrick Agyemang speaks on his journey to becoming an MLS first-round draft pick

    • Major League Soccer
    • United Soccer League
    • Players In America
  • Players Abroad
    • All
    • Boxing
    • Division One League
    • Football
    • Other Sports
    • Women's League
    Ghanaian forward Ragnar Ache scores late winner for Greuther Fürth in victory over Nürnberg

    Ghanaian forward Ragnar Ache scores late winner for Greuther Fürth in victory over Nürnberg

    CHAN 2022: Senegal beat host, Algeria to win first trophy

    CHAN 2022: Senegal beat host, Algeria to win first trophy

    Ghana Premier League: Tamale City 3 – 0 Kotoku Royals – Royals ‘ENSLAVED’ in Tamale

    Ghana Premier League: Tamale City 3 – 0 Kotoku Royals – Royals ‘ENSLAVED’ in Tamale

    ‘UNPLAYABLE’ Ghana youngster  Jesurun Rak-Sakyi grabs eighth goal as Charlton win on the road

    ‘UNPLAYABLE’ Ghana youngster Jesurun Rak-Sakyi grabs eighth goal as Charlton win on the road

  • Transfers
    Nurudeen nears Karela switch

    Nurudeen nears Karela switch

    Ghanaian midfielder Kelvin Ofori signs for Spartak Trnava

    Ghanaian midfielder Kelvin Ofori signs for Spartak Trnava

    Wimbledon release Ghanaian defender Paul Osew

    Wimbledon release Ghanaian defender Paul Osew

    Aduana close in on Hans Kwofie

    Aduana close in on Hans Kwofie

No Result
View All Result
  • Ghana
    • All
    • Boxing
    • Division One League
    • Football
    • Other Sports
    • Women's League
    Ghanaian forward Ragnar Ache scores late winner for Greuther Fürth in victory over Nürnberg

    Ghanaian forward Ragnar Ache scores late winner for Greuther Fürth in victory over Nürnberg

    CHAN 2022: Senegal beat host, Algeria to win first trophy

    CHAN 2022: Senegal beat host, Algeria to win first trophy

    Ghana Premier League: Tamale City 3 – 0 Kotoku Royals – Royals ‘ENSLAVED’ in Tamale

    Ghana Premier League: Tamale City 3 – 0 Kotoku Royals – Royals ‘ENSLAVED’ in Tamale

    • Football
      • Division One League
      • FA Cup
      • Women League
    • Boxing
    • Other Sports
  • GPL
    Ghana Premier League: Tamale City 3 – 0 Kotoku Royals – Royals ‘ENSLAVED’ in Tamale

    Ghana Premier League: Tamale City 3 – 0 Kotoku Royals – Royals ‘ENSLAVED’ in Tamale

    Nurudeen nears Karela switch

    Nurudeen nears Karela switch

    Aduana close in on Hans Kwofie

    Aduana close in on Hans Kwofie

    Ghana Premier League: Accra Lions 3 – 0 Great Olympics – Lions Roar to chase Wonder Boys out of Accra

    Ghana Premier League: Accra Lions 3 – 0 Great Olympics – Lions Roar to chase Wonder Boys out of Accra

  • National Teams
    • All
    • Black Galaxies
    • Black Maidens
    • Black Meteors
    • Black Princesses
    • Black Queens
    • Black Satellites
    • Black Starlets
    • Black Stars
    ‘We must do all we can to deliver on the pitch’ – Kamaldeen Sulemana on Black Stars

    ‘We must do all we can to deliver on the pitch’ – Kamaldeen Sulemana on Black Stars

    Ghanaian defender Jerome Opoku scores as Arouca beat Santa Clara on the road in Portugal League Cup

    Ghana youngster Kamaldeen Sulemana believes young Black Stars can handle pressure

    I’m ready to give my all to ensure Premier League survival for Nottingham Forest – Andre Ayew

    I’m ready to give my all to ensure Premier League survival for Nottingham Forest – Andre Ayew

    The future is bright for the Black Stars – Kamaldeen Sulemana

    The future is bright for the Black Stars – Kamaldeen Sulemana

    • Black Stars
    • Black Queens
    • Black Meteors
    • Black Satellites
    • Black Maidens
    • Black Starlets
    • Black Princesses
  • CAF Competitions
    • All
    • AFCON
    • CAF Champions League
    • CAF Confederation Cup
    • CHAN Tournament
    • World Cup Qualifiers
    CHAN 2022: Senegal beat host, Algeria to win first trophy

    CHAN 2022: Senegal beat host, Algeria to win first trophy

    ‘DISGRACEFUL’ Black Galaxies sneak into Ghana after shambolic display in Algeria

    ‘DISGRACEFUL’ Black Galaxies sneak into Ghana after shambolic display in Algeria

    Ghana captain Andre Ayew congratulates Black Galaxies after beating Sudan

    CHAN 2022:Black Galaxies coach Annor Walker names strong Lineup for Niger Clash

    CHAN 2022: Ghana gaffer Annor Walker speaks ahead of Niger quarterfinal clash

    CHAN 2022: Ghana gaffer Annor Walker speaks ahead of Niger quarterfinal clash

    • CAF Champions League
    • CAF Confederation Cup
    • AFCON
  • Asia
    Great Olympics sign Japanese star Jindo Morishita

    Great Olympics sign Japanese star Jindo Morishita

    OFFICIAL: Ghana captain Andre Ayew leaves Al Sadd

    OFFICIAL: Ghana captain Andre Ayew leaves Al Sadd

    Video: Andre Ayew on target as Al Sadd beat Al-Rayyan

    Video: Andre Ayew on target as Al Sadd beat Al-Rayyan

    Exclusive: Ebenezer Assifuah joins KDA FC

    Exclusive: Ebenezer Assifuah joins KDA FC

    • Players In Asia
  • Europe
    • All
    • UEFA
    Ghanaian forward Ragnar Ache scores late winner for Greuther Fürth in victory over Nürnberg

    Ghanaian forward Ragnar Ache scores late winner for Greuther Fürth in victory over Nürnberg

    ‘UNPLAYABLE’ Ghana youngster  Jesurun Rak-Sakyi grabs eighth goal as Charlton win on the road

    ‘UNPLAYABLE’ Ghana youngster Jesurun Rak-Sakyi grabs eighth goal as Charlton win on the road

    Ghana’s Jeffrey Schlupp scores for Crystal Palace at Old Trafford against Manchester United

    Ghana’s Jeffrey Schlupp scores for Crystal Palace at Old Trafford against Manchester United

    Highly-Gifted Ghana forward Kamaldeen Sulemana makes Premier League debut in Southampton’s loss at Brentford

    Highly-Gifted Ghana forward Kamaldeen Sulemana makes Premier League debut in Southampton’s loss at Brentford

    • Players In Europe
    • UEFA
  • America
    • All
    • Major League Soccer
    • United Soccer League
    Ghanaian winger Eric Oteng joins Las Vegas FC

    Ghanaian winger Eric Oteng joins Las Vegas FC

    ‘Feels good to be back’ – Yaw Yeboah on his return to Columbus Crew

    ‘Feels good to be back’ – Yaw Yeboah on his return to Columbus Crew

    Ghanaian striker Elvis Amoh joins Hartford City FC

    Ghanaian striker Elvis Amoh joins Hartford City FC

    Ghanaian attacker Patrick Agyemang speaks on his journey to becoming an MLS first-round draft pick

    Ghanaian attacker Patrick Agyemang speaks on his journey to becoming an MLS first-round draft pick

    • Major League Soccer
    • United Soccer League
    • Players In America
  • Players Abroad
    • All
    • Boxing
    • Division One League
    • Football
    • Other Sports
    • Women's League
    Ghanaian forward Ragnar Ache scores late winner for Greuther Fürth in victory over Nürnberg

    Ghanaian forward Ragnar Ache scores late winner for Greuther Fürth in victory over Nürnberg

    CHAN 2022: Senegal beat host, Algeria to win first trophy

    CHAN 2022: Senegal beat host, Algeria to win first trophy

    Ghana Premier League: Tamale City 3 – 0 Kotoku Royals – Royals ‘ENSLAVED’ in Tamale

    Ghana Premier League: Tamale City 3 – 0 Kotoku Royals – Royals ‘ENSLAVED’ in Tamale

    ‘UNPLAYABLE’ Ghana youngster  Jesurun Rak-Sakyi grabs eighth goal as Charlton win on the road

    ‘UNPLAYABLE’ Ghana youngster Jesurun Rak-Sakyi grabs eighth goal as Charlton win on the road

  • Transfers
    Nurudeen nears Karela switch

    Nurudeen nears Karela switch

    Ghanaian midfielder Kelvin Ofori signs for Spartak Trnava

    Ghanaian midfielder Kelvin Ofori signs for Spartak Trnava

    Wimbledon release Ghanaian defender Paul Osew

    Wimbledon release Ghanaian defender Paul Osew

    Aduana close in on Hans Kwofie

    Aduana close in on Hans Kwofie

No Result
View All Result
No Result
View All Result
ADVERTISEMENT

Is Yaya Toure Africa’s greatest ever midfielder?

by ⚽
May 24, 2020
in CAF Competitions, Ghana
Reading Time: 5 mins read
Is Yaya Toure Africa’s greatest ever midfielder?
0
SHARES
Share on WhatsappShare on FacebookShare on Twitter

It’s not often that a transfer move causes such a transformative effect for a player as Yaya Toure swapping Barcelona for Manchester City in 2010. 

The Ivory Coast midfielder joined the nouveau riche Citizens just as they were aspiring to supplant city rivals Manchester United as the top dog in the Premier League, and he certainly wrote his own story, as did the club.

ADVERTISEMENT

While some observers still give Pep Guardiola stick for opting for Sergio Busquets as his deepest midfielder and then jettisoning Yaya, it’s safe to say all parties were beneficiaries of the switch.

Before Pep’s appointment at Barca, the West African had been playing second fiddle to the Blaugrana’s more creative central midfielders and mostly had to make do with a role in front of the defence. At City, however, he was transformed into one of the best dynamic midfielders English football has ever seen.

The individual awards he picked up in his time in England emphasise just how terrific he was in building the modern Man City: he was named African Footballer of the Year four times (joint-highest with the legendary Samuel Eto’o), a two-time winner of the BBC equivalent, and was named in the PFA Team of the Year on two occasions in 2012 and 2014.

READ ALSO:

Ghanaian forward Ragnar Ache scores late winner for Greuther Fürth in victory over Nürnberg

Ghanaian forward Ragnar Ache scores late winner for Greuther Fürth in victory over Nürnberg

CHAN 2022: Senegal beat host, Algeria to win first trophy

CHAN 2022: Senegal beat host, Algeria to win first trophy

Ghana Premier League: Tamale City 3 – 0 Kotoku Royals – Royals ‘ENSLAVED’ in Tamale

Ghana Premier League: Tamale City 3 – 0 Kotoku Royals – Royals ‘ENSLAVED’ in Tamale

In the latter, which coincided with City’s second title success, some observers still believe he should have been named Player of the Year ahead of the exceptional Luis Suarez, a debate that indicates how incredible Yaya was in City’s title-winning 13/14 season.

Toure matched Frank Lampard as the second midfielder to score 20 Premier League goals or higher, a feat that hasn’t been matched by anyone else since. Had he pipped Suarez, he’d have become the first African to claim the honour of best player in the division, but it wasn’t to be (Riyad Mahrez in 2016 and Mohamed Salah two years later have since gone on to make their mark in the top flight).

Alongside Joe Hart (who was there at the start), Vincent Kompany, David Silva and Sergio Aguero, the West African star formed part of the spine that began the blue wave in Manchester, starting with FA Cup success in 2011 and eventually culminated in league success the following season. Three additional league titles have followed since that maiden triumph, and a lot can be attributed to the quartet’s exploits in laying an unshakable foundation.

It was Yaya who began the rise with momentous goals in the oldest cup competition, netting two decisive goals in the semi-final win over Man United before repeating the trick against Stoke City.

Roberto Mancini’s team had gone into the Derby encounter with the Red Devils on the back of a winless six-game run against Sir Alex Ferguson’s troops, a streak that included five defeats, so the expectation was for the encounter to conclude with the red half of Manchester leaving Wembley celebrating.

However, their mesmeric Ivorian had seen enough United dominance, pouncing on a Michael Carrick pass intended for Paul Scholes, surging past the English deep-lying playmaker as well as Rio Ferdinand, before finishing coolly past Edwin van der Sar in goal. The Citizens were into their first FA Cup final in 30 years and had the chance of ending a 35-year trophy drought.

Tony Pulis’ team were an even harder nut to crack in the final, frustrating the favourites with their defensive display for 70-odd minutes…then Toure rose to the occasion yet again, firing a thunderous left-footed effort past Thomas Sorensen in the 74th-minute to end 35 years of hurt.

Those strikes in the semi-final and decider already made the ex-Olympiacos man a hero at the Etihad, still, there was even more to come, as seen in multiple Premier League-winning campaigns. The English top flight hadn’t quite seen any African player like Yaya.

Michael Essien heralded the former Monaco man’s arrival, but the 2009 Champions League winner surely surpassed the Ghanaian in the Prem and then some. The Bison’s ball-carrying and tenacity were revered in his pomp, while his spatial awareness, versatility and propensity for the spectacular endeared him to the Stamford Bridge faithful, yet Yaya took it up a notch in his prime in Manchester.

He combined technical quality and brute strength to either unlock opposition defences or bully teams depending on the situation, scored incredible goals that will be replayed over and over and brought relevance to the Citizens.

On the international scene, Yaya led Ivory Coast to the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations, having been on the losing side in 2006 and 2012. In a sense, it was what part of that Golden Generation deserved after underwhelming on the continent in the late 2000s despite being tipped for great things due to their immense quality across the squad.

Toure may not have had Jay-Jay Okocha’s natural talent, Mikel John Obi’s charismatic leadership and influence, or Sulley Muntari’s tenacity, yet what he did on the pitch to help lift Man City to the pinnacle of the English game surely sees him supplant past midfield men from the continent.

If Man City’s goal was to knock United off their perch, Yaya contributed to the power shift in Manchester, and it’s one of several decisive contributions that makes him Africa’s greatest midfielder of all time.

Source: goal.com

SendShareTweetShare
ADVERTISEMENT
Previous Post

Stephen Appiah – I told Kwasi Appiah he would coach Black Stars in 2010

Next Post

“Andre Ayew has leadership qualities, he was good in camp” – Appiah

Related Posts

Ghanaian forward Ragnar Ache scores late winner for Greuther Fürth in victory over Nürnberg
Europe

Ghanaian forward Ragnar Ache scores late winner for Greuther Fürth in victory over Nürnberg

CHAN 2022: Senegal beat host, Algeria to win first trophy
Africa

CHAN 2022: Senegal beat host, Algeria to win first trophy

Ghana Premier League: Tamale City 3 – 0 Kotoku Royals – Royals ‘ENSLAVED’ in Tamale
Football

Ghana Premier League: Tamale City 3 – 0 Kotoku Royals – Royals ‘ENSLAVED’ in Tamale

Ghanaian forward Ragnar Ache scores late winner for Greuther Fürth in victory over Nürnberg

Ghanaian forward Ragnar Ache scores late winner for Greuther Fürth in victory over Nürnberg

Ghanaian forward Ragnar Ache was on the score sheet for Greuther Fürth in the German Bundesliga 2 on Saturday evening...

Read more

CHAN 2022: Senegal beat host, Algeria to win first trophy

CHAN 2022: Senegal beat host, Algeria to win first trophy

The local Teranga Lions of Senegal beat the host nation of the 2022 CHAN tournament, the Foxes of Algeria to...

Read more

Ghana Premier League: Tamale City 3 – 0 Kotoku Royals – Royals ‘ENSLAVED’ in Tamale

Ghana Premier League: Tamale City 3 – 0 Kotoku Royals – Royals ‘ENSLAVED’ in Tamale

Tamale City FC enslaved Akyem Kotoku Royals in their Ghana Premier League week 16 clash at the Aliu Mahama sports...

Read more

Video: Hungarian giants Ferencvaros unveils Ghana forward Kwabena Owusu

Hungarian giants Ferencvaros pays 300,000 Euros for Kwabena Owusu transfer

Ghanaian international Kwabena Owusu has joined Hungarian giants Ferencvaros Torna Club on a two-year deal. Owusu, 25, moved from Azerbaijan...

Read more

Subscribe to SportsWorldGhana

Receive new articles by email.

Join 23 other subscribers

Trending

The future is bright for the Black Stars – Kamaldeen Sulemana

Injury ends record La Liga run of appearances for Ghana star Inaki Williams

Ghanaian forward Ragnar Ache scores late winner for Greuther Fürth in victory over Nürnberg

Potters Bar Town FC sign Ghanaian duo

Contact Us

Our ultimate goal is to bridge the gap between sports news from Ghana and the world to the door step of our cherished content readers

16th Street, 2nd Avenue,

Batsona Community 18, Tema The Republic of Ghana
Phone: +233248191999
AdMail: [email protected]
General: [email protected]

© 2022 SportsWorldGhana | All rights reserved.

  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Advertise with us
  • Contact
No Result
View All Result
  • Ghana
    • Football
      • Division One League
      • FA Cup
      • Women League
    • Boxing
    • Other Sports
  • GPL
  • National Teams
    • Black Stars
    • Black Queens
    • Black Meteors
    • Black Satellites
    • Black Maidens
    • Black Starlets
    • Black Princesses
  • CAF Competitions
    • CAF Champions League
    • CAF Confederation Cup
    • AFCON
  • Asia
    • Players In Asia
  • Europe
    • Players In Europe
    • UEFA
  • America
    • Major League Soccer
    • United Soccer League
    • Players In America
  • Players Abroad
  • Transfers

©2013-2022 | All rights reserved

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.