A few months ago, seeing Yaya Toure’s name on the scoresheet – or even on the teamsheet – would have been unthinkable.
Yet, the manner in which the midfielder dispatched his penalty in Manchester City’s 4-0 win over West Ham said everything you need to know about his composure through what on a personal level has been a difficult season.
The Ivorian refused to leave the Etihad despite knowing the sort of money he could reap from a stint in the Chinese Super League.
Pep Guardiola had dropped him after a falling out with agent Dimitri Seluk, with whom Toure has a close bond.
Once that had been patched up, however, there was no turning back for the newly bulky former Barcelona talisman who had spent months in the gym and putting in extra shifts in the training ground.
Now, ESPN report that the 33-year-old has been included in City’s Champions League squad for the knockout stages.
His initial omission from the European squad was one of the first indications that all was not well in his relationship with Guardiola.
It marks an impressive turnaround, though, and he will now be available to face Monaco in the last-16.
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