London - Manuel Pellegrini has admitted he is disappointed in Yaya Toure but vowed to back the Manchester City midfielder - at least until the end of the season.
Sportsmail revealed City would listen to offers for the Ivorian as they look to overhaul an ageing squad at the end of a faltering campaign.
Toure is determined not to be forced out but the Chilean, speaking ahead of Sunday’s visit of West Ham, acknowledged the midfielder had underperformed and dismissed claims he should be given a rest.
‘I don’t think he’s happy with his performance this year - and nor am I,’ said Pellegrini. ‘He doesn’t need a break.’
Toure, who has two years left on a £220 000-a-week deal, has come in for criticism amid the collapse of City’s Premier League defence. But Pellegrini, who faces questions over his own future, said the 31-year-old would be backed. ‘He’s a very important player and he will have my support until the end of the season,’ he said. City, who have taken just 18 points from the last available 39, take on Sam Allardyce’s side knowing that defeat will leave fifth-placed Liverpool with the chance to close the gap to one point with victory at West Brom next weekend. City will also face the Hammers without captain Vincent Kompany, who could miss the rest of the campaign with a muscle injury.
With his manager in the firing line, City goalkeeper Joe Hart insisted the players should take responsibility. ‘People have been disappointed in their own performances,’ said the England No 1. ‘We’ve let the manager down a few times and we’ve baffled ourselves because we feel like we’ve got the quality to beat anyone and that’s not been the case.’
Hart added that Pellegrini retained the backing of the dressing room. ‘He’s been great,’ Hart said. ‘He’s hard, he kind of says it how it is and you can’t ask for much more than that from a manager.’
Pellegrini, however, said: ‘The players have responsibility but I choose the players.’
Daily Mail