What should Manchester City do with Yaya Toure given Pep Guardiola reservations about the midfielder?

The future looked bleak for Yaya Toure, at least when it came to Manchester City. When Pep Guardiola took over as manager in 2016, the Ivorian found himself on the outskirts of the team and, to make matters worse, he was left out of the Champions League squad, meaning he would play no part in their group stage matches.

His only appearance at the start of that season came when the side played Steaua Bucharest in the second leg of their Champions League play-off, with City already 5-0 up on aggregate.

He then went on to miss 11 games in the league and two League Cup ties, and he couldn’t even convince the new manager he deserved a place on the bench — he was left out of the squad altogether.

One of the Premier League’s best and most well paid had been demoted to a reserve player.

Fast forward to this season and history is repeating itself, although this time the signs are a little more encouraging.

Our friends at Football Whispers look at the situation and what comes next for the former Barcelona midfielder.

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This term Toure has been included in Guardiola’s Champions League squad, appeared on the bench during the first few league games, and made his first appearance of the season in their 2-1 win against West Bromwich Albion in the Carabao Cup

“He showed his personality because it’s not easy for him to play in these types of games, but he did it well and that’s why we’re happy for him to come back,” said Guardiola after his side progressed to the next round of the League Cup.

“We are going to use him. Everybody is going to play. We have a lot of games. Three days later we have a game, then three days later after Stamford Bridge we have the Champions League.”

Guardiola, speaking prior to the 6-0 thrashing of Watford, told reporters: “We need him. He is an exceptional player. Of course he is going to helps us.”

It’s a similar response to the one given when the midfielder powerhouse returned from exile during the 2016/17 season with two goals against Crystal Palace in November.

“Yaya has been training really well and his physical condition is better than ever,” said the former Barcelona coach.

“I’m so happy for him and his family. He’s now a real part of the team and can help us achieve our targets.