Kolo Toure Urges Younger Brother Yaya To Leave Manchester City And Move To France

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Celtic defender Kolo Toure has advised his brother Yaya to leave Manchester City, with the latter not part of manager Pep Guardiola’s plans this season, according to 90min.

The well-publicised disagreement between Guardiola, Toure and his agent has prevented the Ivorian midfielder from experiencing any game time since the Spanish coach arrived at the Etihad last summer.

Guardiola had previously claimed that an apology from both parties could lead to a possible return from the cold for Toure, but any return to action now seems unlikely for the former Barcelona star.

And Kolo thinks it’s time for his brother to leave the Premier League, with Marseille a rumoured possible destination.

Asked by RMC Sport about a move to Marseille for his sibling, Kolo said:

“Yes, why not? He still has talent and some things to prove. It’s certain that it’s difficult at City right now.

“We have all been through that. You’re at the top at one moment, and then you go back down. You have to understand that you need a change of scenery, go to a place where people want you.”

In spite of his public advice, Kolo admits that he hasn’t talked to Yaya in person about the situation yet.

“I haven’t spoken about it with him. He’s still at City, I respect that. But Olympique de Marseille is a super club and he knows the French league well.” The older Toure said.

Yaya has bizarrely been nominated for the BBC African Football of the Year Award, despite having been consigned to watching from the sidelines for the majority of this term.

The 33-year-old has also been linked with a move to MLS and the Chinese Super League but is thought that he would prefer a switch to another Premier League club.