“We, Africans, we do not show that Africa is important in our eyes. We prioritise external achievements over our own continent. It is lamentable.”

Pellegrini has dismissed suggestions he is punishing his captain Kompany for playing for Belgium.

Toure claimed in an interview this week that he deserves greater recognition from the media for his achievements at the club.

West Brom 0 Man City 3: Opening salvoes do not come any more impressive.

Manchester City got their Premier League title bid up and running with a comfortable 3-0 win.

Midfielder Yaya Toure’s future at Manchester City appears to be drawing to a close as Inter Milan vice-president Javier Zanetti claimed the Italian giants are close to completing a move for the Ivory Coast star.

"What is clear is we will continue to try to bring him here.”

On the day Yaya Toure turned 32, he was urged to stay at Manchester City by team-mate Wilfried Bony.

Yaya Toure has called for tougher sanctions to punish countries with racist fans saying abuse can “break” players – but refused to discuss his future at Manchester City.

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini has joked that the club must celebrate Yaya Toure’s birthday properly this year.

Yaya Toure's future at Manchester City has been thrown into further doubt after his outspoken agent suggested the midfielder is near certain to leave this summer.

Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure has claimed he is open to “new challenges” and will not stay at a club simply to collect wages.

Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure has claimed he is open to “new challenges” and will not stay at a club simply to collect wages.

Yaya Toure’s agent has called Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini a “weak manager” and criticised the club’s chief executive Ferran Soriano and director of football Txiki Begiristain.

Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini is confident both he and key midfielder Yaya Toure have futures at the club.

Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure has cast more doubt on his future at the club by saying it would be an honour to play for Paris St Germain.

Jose Mourinho claimed players have been given free rein to commit off-the-ball offences after the Football Association took no action against Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure for an apparent kick at Norwich’s Ricky van Wolfswinkel.