Yaya Toure disgusted at lack of recognition in England, says he is 'sick' of football
Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure has revealed that he is deeply hurt by the one-sided coverage of his performances for the club, Guardian reported. Toure has insisted that he has been treated unfairly by the English media and has claimed that despite winning titles and having lots of money, he is still an unhappy man.
The 32-year-old arrived at Etihad Stadium from Barcelona back in the summer of 2010. Toure has so far enjoyed a successful spell at the Manchester club having won the Premier League title twice and FA Cup once in 2010/11 season.
The Ivory Coast captain has been instrumental in the Citizens’ squad and today he was named as the only African on the 23-man shortlist for the FIFA Ballon d’Or. However, despite everything he has achieved in England, Toure has admitted that he feels sickened by ‘lots of bitter people who tried to dirty his name’.
“Journalists have spoken about a new departure for me.”
“But what new departure? I have just come out of a season with City where we finished second in the English league, which is the hardest in the world,” Toure told L'Equipe.
So far this season Toure has scored just one goal in 8 appearances for City. Last season, he had scored 10 league goals and regarding his goal-scoring exploits which helped City win the league during the 2013/14 season, Toure said he has not been given much credit for it.
"I scored 26 goals, 20 in the Premier League, and nobody mentioned it. You understand a bit of my disgust.”
"Here (in England), when it is bad, they stress it; when it's good, they leave that in the dungeon.”
“They have always used their little methods to annoy and alienate me."
Toure suggests the media stay out of his “pay packet”
Back in 2014, there were rumours about Toure’s departure from the Etihad after the club failed to address a ‘number of things that had left Yaya feel bitterly upset’, which included Toure’s demand for a higher wage packet.
The former Barcelona player has suggested the English media to focus more on his trophy haul rather than his pay packet.
"The journalists were talking about my salary and saying that it was a disgrace." the 32-year-old Ivorian added.
"They asked what I was going to change at City. And so, did you see what happened next? We won nearly everything.”
“In fact, it is recognition that I do not have that hurts me. It is a bit sickening.”
"It has hurt me. Everyone thinks I am happy: I have won titles, lots of money, but, no, I am not happy."