LONDON // Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini has dismissed any suggestions that Yaya Toure could be sold.
Toure, a standout midfield at the Etihad Stadium since his signing from Barcelona in 2010, has performed below his usual high standards for much of the season.
He was sent off for an act of petulance in the midweek Uefa Champions League loss to CSKA Moscow, and reports have surfaced that City are willing to listen to offers for the 31-year-old Ivorian, perhaps from Paris Saint-Germain.
Pellegrini, however, dismissed yesterday all “Toure to leave City” talk as idle chatter.
“There must be a lot of reports telling [the story] that Yaya will be sold. Maybe all the other teams want Manchester City to be a weaker team,” the Chilean said.
“Yaya is a very important player. He played very well in the first half [against CSKA]. He scored a goal. In the second half he made a mistake and he was sent off, but I am sure nobody at the club is talking about selling Yaya Toure.”
Toure was outstanding as City won the Premier League last season, scoring 20 goals. Problems began in the summer when he voiced criticisms of the club and then became embroiled in a row over how his birthday was celebrated.
His form on the pitch is part-reflected in City’s underwhelming start to the season. City are yet to hit their stride in the Premier League and are facing early elimination from the Champions League.
Pellegrini said he feels no pressure of expectations.
“I never feel pressure,” he said. “In my career I have had 25 years managing teams, and the only pressure I feel is my own pressure to return to play in the way I like this team to play, to play attractive football and be a winning team.”
Pellegrini is hoping for a reaction as City travel today to QPR, although his side will be weakened by the absence of injured captain Vincent Kompany.
QPR will be without Rio Ferdinand, who will serve the first game of a three-match ban for an abusive Twitter comment.
Redknapp is having nothing of talk that City are slumping.
“They’ve got a fantastic squad of players, if you look at their team,” he said.
“They’ll be fighting out the championship this year with Chelsea.
“You can’t kid yourselves: City haven’t become a bad team overnight.”
Queens Park Rangers v Manchester City: 7pm, beIN Sports
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