Do Manchester City Need a Yaya Toure Replacement?

By Nick Burgess @NickBurgess92 on October 29, 2014

Yaya Toure is the reigning box-to-box midfielder in the Premier League. Last season he was tied with teammate Sergio Aguero as the third top scorer in the league, behind Daniel Sturridge and Luis Suarez, both of Liverpool.

Scoring 20 goals in one season from a midfield position is unbelievable, and that is due to Toure being able to move up in Manuel Pelligrini‘s formation thanks to the purchase of Fernandinho in the 2013 summer transfer window. Fernandinho is able to provide a defensive shield for a sometimes shaky back four, but Toure has the freedom to track back when needed.

Toure has been the center of some recent controversy, though. After Manchester City did not get him a cake for his birthday, his publicist and agent took to the press to express Toure’s disappointment in the club. Also, recent contract disputes have led to many clubs wondering if the Ivorian is willing to move on. If so, the Citizens need to find another quality midfielder to take his place. According to reports, they’ve had their eye on one.

Paul Pogba left Manchester United on, in effect, a free transfer to Juventus after Sir Alex Ferguson refused to play him ahead of Paul Scholes. Since his move to Italy, he has become known as one of the best midfielders in the world, despite being only 21 years old. He has also just resigned his contract with The Old Lady until 2019, meaning he will have a substantial buyout clause or transfer fee should it come to that.

Manchester City are one of the teams that could afford Pogba in today’s market of inflated transfer fees. They could also provide him immediate first team football in a consistent competitor for both the Premier League title and the Champions League title.

Pogba is very much in the mold of Yaya Toure. He is quick, strong, tall, aggressive, good on the ball, smart and has great vision. In addition to all of that, he can score goals from anywhere around the box. He is also 10 years younger than Toure, meaning if City pull the trigger, they could have one of the most dominant midfields in the world for years to come.

Nick Burgess is a soccer columnist for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @NickBurgess92, “Like” him on Facebook and connect with him on Google.