Yaya Toure: I don’t understand why people sacrifice high-class football for China’s cash

Yaya Touré has claimed that a money-spinning move to China would only leave him feeling “angry” after questioning why players who can still compete at the highest level would sacrifice pedigree football for a lucrative payday.

Oscar turned his back on the Premier League last month to join Chinese Super League club Shanghai SIPG from Chelsea for £60 million, despite the Brazilian being only 25 and with his best days arguably ahead of him.

Touré, 33, was offered £430,000 a week this month to join a Chinese Super League club but the Manchester City midfielder said he shared the same determination as another ageing superstar, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, to play at the top for as long as possible.

Ibrahimovic, 35, is the third highest scorer in the Premier League this season with 14 goals and, like Touré, the Manchester United striker has also shunned eye-watering offers to move to China. Touré is out of contract at City in the summer, but while he hopes to earn a 12-month contract extension to his £220,000-a-week deal, the Ivorian wants to remain in the Premier League in the event that Pep Guardiola releases him.

Asked about the prospect of moving to China, Touré said: “Me? No. I’m still looking young, right? I want to play in Europe, especially in England. I want to continue doing that for a few years yet. I always say that if I went to China I would end up feeling angry there. Do you play football because you love football or do you play because you want to make money? Me, I just want to play football because I enjoy it. I love playing. I enjoy helping my team-mates, I enjoy playing against the big players and teams.

“I want to carry on in that way. Some people have the mentality that they want to do that [go to China] – to try something different. But for me, my feeling is that I want to play more football.

“Look at my friend Ibrahimovic. He’s 35 and he’s going to play for maybe three more years? He’s got the same mentality as me. He’s a big player, a champion who loves football. It’s football first. Anything after that is a bonus. You can be lucky to go and play for big clubs and still earn a lot of money. But those who go to China? I don’t think like that.”

Having initially been frozen out by Guardiola at City following a row between the manager and the player’s agent, Dimitri Seluk, Touré was brought back into the fold in November and has played regularly since.

Asked if playing for City for an eighth season was his priority, Touré said: “Yes, definitely. I’ve said before that I’ve been involved with a lot of clubs. But especially at City, I want to give something back to the fans. I’d like to continue to work hard for them, keep giving them entertainment, keep them happy. If I was tired, I’d say, ‘No more, move on’. But I don’t feel like that, I feel very, very good. I feel young.”

While Touré wants to stay at City, one player who could leave by choice this summer is Tosin Adarabioyo. The 19-year-old centre-half is out of contract at the end of the season and City have yet to agree a new deal with his representatives, whose financial demands the club are reluctant to meet. Everton and Celtic are among the clubs hoping to take advantage of the impasse but City remain in talks and are hopeful of a resolution.

Meanwhile, referee Andre Marriner will not be rested for the next round of Premier League games, despite attracting criticism for his performance during City’s 2-2 draw at home to Spurs on Saturday. Marriner failed to spot a handball by Leroy Sané in the lead up to City’s goal and was rebuked for not awarding Raheem Sterling a penalty after he was pushed by Kyle Walker. Marriner will referee Arsenal’s fixture against Watford at the Emirates Stadium a week today.

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This post was written by Super Admin