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Yaya Toure - Player of the Week

Yaya Toure - Player of the Week

Yaya Toure lifts City into second

Toure scoring against Southampton.Manchester City gave their best performance of the season at Southampton last weekend. City won 3-0 and jumped ahead of The Saints in the Premier League table as they try to chase Chelsea at the top, who are now only 6 points ahead of them. It was a fantastic performance by City, who went ahead in the second half through a trademark Yaya Toure goal from just outside the penalty area. Toure won the midfield battle against Kenyan, Victor Wanyama and despite being reduced to 10 men after a red card for Eliaquim Mangala, City continued to go forward and scored another 2 goals. After 80 minutes, Frank Lampard scored his 3rd Premier League goal for City and in the final few minutes Gael Clichy scored his first ever goal for City after over 100 games for the team! With City playing well and players like Sergio Aguero and Toure playing at their best maybe we will see the gap at the top starting to close.

What do we know about Yaya Toure?

Yaya Toure is the current African Player of the Year.Yaya Toure was born in Bouaké in the Ivory Coast, in May 1983. When he was 13 years old he moved to Abidjan (the biggest city in Ivory Coast) to play for ASEC Mimosas and their famous academy. This academy has produced many famous Ivorian players including his brother Kolo (Liverpool), Gervinho (Roma and ex-Arsenal) and Solomon Kalou (Lille and ex-Chelsea). There are also a number of Ivorians currently playing in the Premier League:

Where has Yaya Toure played?

Like many of his Ivorian colleagues, Toure left the Ivory Coast to play in Europe. So far in his career Toure has played for six different clubs, in six different countries. They are:

Beveren Belgium Metalurh Donetsk Ukraine
Olimpiacos Greece AS Monaco France
FC Barcelona Spain Manchester City England

 

During his travels, Toure has won league titles in four different countries, (Ivory Coast, Greece, Spain and England). He also won the Champions League with Barcelona in 2009 where he played as a centre back in the 2-0 victory against Manchester United. Because the competition at Barcelona was very strong he moved to Manchester City in the summer of 2010.

Has he had success playing for the Ivory Coast?

Yaya Toure has played in 3 World Cups for Ivory Coast.Toure has played over 80 times for Ivory Coast and has scored 16 international goals (December 2014). He made his debut against Egypt, in June 2004. Toure has played for 'The Elephants' in five Africa Cup of Nations tournaments and finished as runners-up in 2006 and 2012. Toure was named in the team of the tournament in 2008 and 2012.

Toure played all three games in the 2006 World Cup, in Germany, for Ivory Coast, which was their first ever World Cup. Toure also played in all three games that Ivory Coast played in the World Cup in 2010, in South Africa. Ivory Coast had to play in diffcult groups on both occasions (Argentina and Netherlands 2006 and Brazil and Portugal 2010). At Brazil 2014, Toure played all 3 games once more, but unfortunately Ivory Coast were eliminated at the group stage for a third successive World Cup.

Did Toure play for Arsenal?

Toure scoring against Swansea City.In 2003, Yaya had a trial at Arsenal. His brother, Kolo, was playing for Arsenal at the time. During the trial Yaya impressed the manager, Arsene Wenger, so much that Wenger tried to sign him. Because of problems with work permits Yaya was unable to sign for Arsenal, and play with his brother, so he signed for Metalurh Donetsk in the Ukraine. When Yaya signed for Manchester City in 2010 he finally joined Kolo, who had moved from Arsenal to Manchester City the year before. Kolo is now at Liverpool.

What do we know about Toure outside of football?

Toure with Pelligrini and the Premier League trophy.Yaya Toure is a practising Muslim. He once said 'no' to a bottle of champagne that was presented to him for a man of the match performance against Newcastle. Toure is also a goodwill ambassador for the United Nations Environment Programme. His job includes speaking about the importance of protecting elephants in all of Africa and to stop poaching of the animals. Toure has said, "Ivory Coast's national team is named The Elephants after these magnificent amimals, yet in my country, there are less than 800 elephants left."

Toure has also spoken a number of times about stopping racism in football. Toure has said that we need to, "show a red card to racism".

You can follow Yaya Toure on twitter. He posts using the name @YayaToure.

 

Toure and Southampton midfielder, Wanyama, battle for the ball, Getty.

What did you understand?

 
Match the numbers to the statement.
Activity 1:  In this activity, think about what you read. Can you match the numbers to the correct statement?

 


 

How much did you understand?

Yaya Toure lifts City into second

Manchester City gave their best performance of the season at Southampton last weekend. City won 3-0 and jumped ahead of The Saints in the Premier League table as they try to chase Chelsea at the top, who are now only 6 points ahead of them. It was a fantastic performance by City, who went ahead in the second half through a trademark Yaya Toure goal from just outside the penalty area. Toure won the midfield battle against Kenyan, Victor Wanyama and despite being reduced to 10 men after a red card for Eliaquim Mangala, City continued to go forward and scored another 2 goals. After 80 minutes, Frank Lampard scored his 3rd Premier League goal for City and in the final few minutes Gael Clichy scored his first ever goal for City after over 100 games for the team! With City playing well and players like Sergio Aguero and Toure playing at their best maybe we will see the gap at the top starting to close.

What do we know about Yaya Toure?

Yaya Toure was born in Bouaké in the Ivory Coast, in May 1983. When he was 13 years old he moved to Abidjan (the biggest city in Ivory Coast) to play for ASEC Mimosas and their famous academy. This academy has produced many famous Ivorian players including his brother Kolo (Liverpool), Gervinho (Roma and ex-Arsenal) and Solomon Kalou (Lille and ex-Chelsea). There are also a number of Ivorians currently playing in the Premier League:

  • Didier Drogba (Chelsea)
  • Wilfried Bony (Swansea City)
  • Chieck Tiote (Newcastle Utd)
  • Guy Demel (West Ham Utd)
  • Yannick Sagbo (Hull City)

Where has Yaya Toure played?

Like many of his Ivorian colleagues, Toure left the Ivory Coast to play in Europe. So far in his career Toure has played for six different clubs, in six different countries. They are:

Beveren Belgium Metalurh Donetsk Ukraine
Olimpiacos Greece AS Monaco France
FC Barcelona Spain Manchester City England

During his travels, Toure has won league titles in four different countries, (Ivory Coast, Greece, Spain and England). He also won the Champions League with Barcelona in 2009 where he played as a centre back in the 2-0 victory against Manchester United. Because the competition at Barcelona was very strong he moved to Manchester City in the summer of 2010.

Has he had success playing for the Ivory Coast?

Toure has played over 80 times for Ivory Coast and has scored 16 international goals (December 2014). He made his debut against Egypt, in June 2004. Toure has played for 'The Elephants' in five Africa Cup of Nations tournaments and finished as runners-up in 2006 and 2012. Toure was named in the team of the tournament in 2008 and 2012.

Toure played all three games in the 2006 World Cup, in Germany, for Ivory Coast, which was their first ever World Cup. Toure also played in all three games that Ivory Coast played in the World Cup in 2010, in South Africa. Ivory Coast had to play in diffcult groups on both occasions (Argentina and Netherlands 2006 and Brazil and Portugal 2010). At Brazil 2014, Toure played all 3 games once more, but unfortunately Ivory Coast was eliminated at the group stage for a third successive World Cup.

Did Toure play for Arsenal?

In 2003, Yaya had a trial at Arsenal. His brother, Kolo, was playing for Arsenal at the time. During the trial Yaya impressed the manager, Arsene Wenger, so much that Wenger tried to sign him. Because of problems with work permits Yaya was unable to sign for Arsenal, and play with his brother, so he signed for Metalurh Donetsk in the Ukraine. When Yaya signed for Manchester City in 2010 he finally joined Kolo, who had moved from Arsenal to Manchester City the year before. Kolo is now at Liverpool.

What do we know about Toure outside of football?

Yaya Toure is a practising Muslim. He once said 'no' to a bottle of champagne that was presented to him for a man of the match performance against Newcastle. Toure is also a goodwill ambassador for the United Nations Environment Programme. His job includes speaking about the importance of protecting elephants in all of Africa and to stop poaching of the animals. Toure has said, "Ivory Coast's national team is named The Elephants after these magnificent amimals, yet in my country, there are less than 800 elephants left."

Toure has also spoken a number of times about stopping racism in football. Toure has said that we need to, "show a red card to racism".

You can follow Yaya Toure on twitter. He posts using the name @YayaToure.

 

Activity 2: In this activity, have a go at these more difficult questions. Answer the questions to show how much of the article you understood.

 


 
Put the words together as quick as you can.
Activity 3: Can you putt he words in the correct order? In this game, use your grammar and vocabulary skills to make sentences.
 

 

Did you know...........?

  • In 2011, Toure scored the only goals in both the FA Cup Final and semi-final.
  • In 2009, Toure was part of the Barcelona team that won 6 major trophies in one calendar year.
  • Yaya Toure is the current African and BBC African Footballer of the Year. 
  • Between 1941 and 1949 Manchester City shared their stadium with another team - Manchester United!
  • Shiek Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan is the owner of Manchester City and the brother of the current ruler of Abu Dhabi, in the United Arab Emirates.
Is Yaya Toure City's greatest ever midfielder?

Quiz

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What do you think?

Yaya Toure is an ambassador for the United Nations. He is trying to protect elephants in Africa.

If you could be an ambassador for a good cause or charity, what would you choose?

Is Yaya Toure Manchester City's best ever midfielder?

Leave a message in the comments section below.

 

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Comments

hsn's picture
hsn
02/12/2022
TR
5525
points

Sentence-Despite being off the market as a penalty for a while for making hidden agreement against free competition regulations, company continued to make profit so far. It has been proved once more that they are leader of market.


hsn's picture
hsn
02/12/2022 17:20
Turkey
Tottenham Hotspur
5525

Sentence-Despite being off the market as a penalty for a while for making hidden agreement against free competition regulations, company continued to make profit so far. It has been proved once more that they are leader of market.

Gabriel Amaral's picture
Gabriel Amaral
11/06/2021
BR
1512
points

Fighting against racism, certainlly.
No he wasn't. But he played his rule very nice


Gabriel Amaral's picture
Gabriel Amaral
11/06/2021 14:55
Brazil
Arsenal
1512

Fighting against racism, certainlly.
No he wasn't. But he played his rule very nice

mobeckham's picture
mobeckham
21/06/2020
TR
6510
points

I think Yaya Toure is one of the best ever midfielders in Manchester City ahead with Kevin De Bruyne , David Silva and Riyad Mahrez.


mobeckham's picture
mobeckham
21/06/2020 22:52
Turkey
Manchester United
6510

I think Yaya Toure is one of the best ever midfielders in Manchester City ahead with Kevin De Bruyne , David Silva and Riyad Mahrez.

mobeckham's picture
mobeckham
21/06/2020
TR
6510
points

If I were an ambassador for a goodwill , I would choose orphan kids because they always need help and to be heard and guided to build a bright future for our world.


mobeckham's picture
mobeckham
21/06/2020 22:50
Turkey
Manchester United
6510

If I were an ambassador for a goodwill , I would choose orphan kids because they always need help and to be heard and guided to build a bright future for our world.

PACOSAEZ's picture
PACOSAEZ
31/10/2016
ES
448
points

I think he is a wonderful player but I don´t think he is the greatest ever.


PACOSAEZ's picture
PACOSAEZ
31/10/2016 13:12
Spain
Manchester United
448

I think he is a wonderful player but I don´t think he is the greatest ever.

HakanUslu1881's picture
HakanUslu1881
19/03/2016
TR
1761
points

Yes,he is and he is also just like a dozer.


HakanUslu1881's picture
HakanUslu1881
19/03/2016 18:52
Turkey
Leicester City
1761

Yes,he is and he is also just like a dozer.

HakanUslu1881's picture
HakanUslu1881
19/03/2016
TR
1761
points

If I was,I would struggle the children who wasn't educated in the world.


HakanUslu1881's picture
HakanUslu1881
19/03/2016 18:51
Turkey
Leicester City
1761

If I was,I would struggle the children who wasn't educated in the world.

assemjuve's picture
assemjuve
22/02/2016
PS
3705
points

Yes he is one f the best midfielders.


assemjuve's picture
assemjuve
22/02/2016 14:53
Palestinian Territory
Liverpool
3705

Yes he is one f the best midfielders.

assemjuve's picture
assemjuve
22/02/2016
PS
3705
points

He is good.


assemjuve's picture
assemjuve
22/02/2016 14:31
Palestinian Territory
Liverpool
3705

He is good.

aragorn1986's picture
aragorn1986
02/12/2015
ME
3557
points

Yaya Tour is trying to save the animals. The sad thing is that Ivory Coast players are called 'The elephants' and those animals are on the edge of extinction. We should all put more effort to save the planet and rare species of animals!


aragorn1986's picture
aragorn1986
02/12/2015 13:57
Montenegro
Arsenal
3557

Yaya Tour is trying to save the animals. The sad thing is that Ivory Coast players are called 'The elephants' and those animals are on the edge of extinction. We should all put more effort to save the planet and rare species of animals!

nikosonris
13/11/2015
UA
2453
points

He is deservedly one of the world's best midfielders.


nikosonris
13/11/2015 13:47
Ukraine
Arsenal
2453

He is deservedly one of the world's best midfielders.

aragorn1986's picture
aragorn1986
02/11/2015
ME
3557
points

I would choose to protect bears. I like bears. Maybe he is, I'm not sure 100%.


aragorn1986's picture
aragorn1986
02/11/2015 21:06
Montenegro
Arsenal
3557

I would choose to protect bears. I like bears. Maybe he is, I'm not sure 100%.

Abdallah
29/09/2015
KW
1814
points

Last season was fantastic for him I hope to see him this season as same as last , he entertained us


Abdallah
29/09/2015 15:18
Kuwait
Chelsea
1814

Last season was fantastic for him I hope to see him this season as same as last , he entertained us

Rema's picture
Rema
02/12/2014
RS
538
points

He is so good midfielder, maybe best in Manchester City ever. Yaya is so strong on the ball, I think that players from opposite side can't take the ball from him. He has good pass, he give good ball to his teammates and his kick has strength and precision.


Rema's picture
Rema
02/12/2014 17:54
Serbia
West Ham United
538

He is so good midfielder, maybe best in Manchester City ever. Yaya is so strong on the ball, I think that players from opposite side can't take the ball from him. He has good pass, he give good ball to his teammates and his kick has strength and precision.

Rema's picture
Rema
02/12/2014
RS
538
points

Question number 4 has two right answer: 1. Belgium and France and 2. Belgium and Ukraine.
I was lead with your text about Yaya: During his travels, Toure has won league titles in four different countries, (Ivory Coast, Greece, Spain and England).
By the way, Yaya is the player with the huge sense and knowledge for football.


Rema's picture
Rema
02/12/2014 15:08
Serbia
West Ham United
538

Question number 4 has two right answer: 1. Belgium and France and 2. Belgium and Ukraine.
I was lead with your text about Yaya: During his travels, Toure has won league titles in four different countries, (Ivory Coast, Greece, Spain and England).
By the way, Yaya is the player with the huge sense and knowledge for football.

Rich's picture
Rich
02/12/2014
ES
594
points

Thanks again Rema. Yes, I think Yaya Toure is a great player and he also seems to have a great awareness of his position as a role model to others.


Rich's picture
Rich
02/12/2014 15:35
Spain
Liverpool
594

Thanks again Rema. Yes, I think Yaya Toure is a great player and he also seems to have a great awareness of his position as a role model to others.

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Average: 4 (1 vote)

Goals

In this article, you will:

Practise reading.

Learn about Yaya Toure and learn some new vocabulary.

Tips

Recording Vocabulary

How do you keep a record of new vocabulary? There are some great apps you can use on your computer, tablet or smartphone. Here are a couple of suggestions:

  • Evernote is a fantastic tool for storing and categorising vocabulary.
  • Anki is another great tool - you can use it to create flash cards and then test yourself.