Toure: FA Cup win will be finest hour

YAYA TOURE would take more pleasure out of winning the FA Cup with Manchester City than if he had achieved greater glory with one of England’s traditional powerhouses.

At various times in his career, the huge Ivorian was linked with Arsenal and Manchester United.

With both clubs, Toure could have expected to challenge for honours, and even become a Champions League winner, as he was with Barcelona in 2009.

However, whilst today’s clash with Stoke at Wembley is on a substantially less grand scale to European football’s showpiece a fortnight later, the depth of feeling is greater.

“For this club, it was a dream to get to the Champions League, and a dream to win a trophy,” said Toure. “But that dream is coming true and for me, that is more satisfying. If I had helped Arsenal, Chelsea or United reach the Champions League final, for them it would just be normal. This club had won nothing, so to do this here, for the first time, after making so many new signings, was not easy.

“We have worked really well and shown everyone we want to achieve big things.”

Indeed, the only regret for Toure ahead of the clash with Stoke is that brother Kolo will not be alongside him in the City line-up as he continues to serve a suspension, pending a hearing into his failed drugs test.

“There will be sadness,” he said. “Before I signed for City I told my brother I wanted to come to England to play with him, and to win something together.

“That won’t happen tomorrow, which means it will be a hard moment for him, and for me as well.

“He is supporting me and if we win, it’ll be for him as well.”