2010 World Cup: Toure still focused on World Cup despite his and Lamporta’s departure from Barcelona
The departing Barcelona President Joan Laporta has announced that the Catalans midfielder Yaya Toure’s transfer deal is very near to the end and just some final decisions and paper work is left.
Laporta will certainly try to make as much as he can happen before the new president Sandro Rosell arrives for the Bernabeu hot seat. Rosell used to be the Vice-President under the lawyer Laporta who has been the President for nearly 12 years. However in 2005 they had a falling out and Rosell quit the post in protest. The reason was that they both had differences in the proceedings and running of the club.
Rosell now takes over on the 1st of July after a landslide victory in the polls and has full support for the job. He has severe and critically open statements about axing those who do not remain on the same page as him.
The ‘Toure decision’ is still confusing many as this comes as an endorsement to Rosell’s campaign to bring more Spanish players in the club. With the ‘Fabregas saga’ still at hand the news is spreading that the club has also laid a 70 million pound bid on Spanish striker Fernando Torres. The ace from Liverpool scored the winning goal in the Euro Cup of 2008.
Toure on the other hand has confirmed his departure from Barca as the Ivorian told media that it was his desire to play in the English Premier League. Arsenal have denied any affiliations with him, so that leaves the sagging Liverpool, or the over abundant Chelsea, and Manchester City in the league.
Still Manchester City have responded with interest in the midfielder and strong chances are that they will be his final destination. On the issue Laporta confided, “The sale of Toure is very advanced”.
Toure said that he had his preferences for England’s top notch but at the moment was focused on the present and that meant the World Cup. While talking to media he said, “I have said for a long time that I want to play in the Premier League. For me, the Premier League is a very good competition and I love that. After the World Cup I will decide what I want to do”.
Toure and the other player from Barcelona in the spot light Dani Alves made their debut appearances from Ivory Coast and Brazil in their match against Portugal and North Korea. There were recent rumours deemed as a hoax by the Barcelona board that Dani Alves was being replaced by a new anonymous high profile defender.
Toure acknowledged that the recent injury to their star striker Didier Drogba had affected them immensely. He also confirmed that the Ivorians had appealed to FIFA to let the star play with a cast covering his operated elbow. He said that after the draw against Portugal they will try to bring on their full offence against other teams.
The wanted man by Jose Mourinho; Maicon will be the obvious choice for Brazilian coach Dunga at the right back position which also happens to Alves area of specialty. It is assumed that he will start from the bench but his performance this season is bound to earn him points for play in the tournament. The Catalan happily related, “I’m happy to be here. Dunga has achieved something very important with the squad and that is that nobody can consider themselves a definite starter, or always a sub. That’s very good for the group. Honestly, I’m not worrying about whether I’ll start or not. I’m just very happy to be here at the World Cup – that’s enough for me”.
Alves also said that he will be keeping a sharp eye on Lionel Messi this season. He explained, “Messi plays with Xavi and Iniesta behind him at Barca and with all respect, he doesn’t have the same quality players with him in the Argentina team. He’s carrying a lot of responsibility, but he never complains. He’s a really nice guy and he’s just like he was when he first came to the club – he’s phenomenal”.
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