FCBARCELONA.CAT

26.06.2009 22:00

Guarantee in defence

www.fcbarcelona.cat

After two seasons with FC Barcelona, Touré Yaya has proven to be an exemplary central midfielder and can play at centre back if required. He brings confidence and stability to the team.

Although he usually plays in midfield, circumstances led Josep Guardiola to play Touré Yaya at centre back this season, where he has always performed exceptionally well.

London, Valencia and Rome

With Puyol and Márquez unavailable for the Champions League semi finals, Touré, who was renowned for his sturdy physique and excellent skills, was tried for the first time in this alternative position at Stamford Bridge ( 1-1 ). Stopping Drogba was no easy task, but he managed it.

Touré played so well there that Guardiola decided to continue using the Ivorian to cover for his defensive problems in the Copa del Rey Final in Valencia, against Athletic Bilbao ( 1-4 ), and also in Rome, against Manchester United ( 2-0 ).

Spectacular goals

Not only did he play at centre back in three of the most important games of the season, but also scored a spectacular goal in the Spanish cup final to make it 1-1. He has regularly displayed his top dribbling skills compared with strength and sheer talent as he scored four goals in a Barça shirt: two in the league, one in the cup and one in the Champions League. The player is also famed for not making life complicated for himself, and rarely makes major errors.

Guarantee of experience

Touré, aged 26 years, has already played in one World Cup, Germany 2006, and one African Nations Cup. In January 2010, he will certainly be in the African Championship again, and the Ivory Coast are also well on course for another World Cup appearance in June. Touré has 32 caps for the Elephants, while he has played 81 games for Barça in two seasons. And there are many more to come.