Yaya Toure names Nemanja Matic as toughest Premier League opponent

- Yaya Toure has named Serbian international Nemanja Matic as his toughest Premier League opponent

- The Ivory Coast legend won Premier League and FA titles in his trophy-laden eight-year stint with the English champions

- The 36-year-old midfielder made a total 316 appearances for the club before departing in 2018

Former Manchester City star, Yaya Toure, has named Manchester United midfielder Nemanja Matic as the toughest player he ever encountered during his trophy-laden Premier League career.

Toure spent eight years with the English champions after sealing a sensational transfer move from La Liga giants Barcelona.

READ ALSO: Former Barcelona coach offered Spain job months after losing daughter to cancer

READ ALSO: Eduardo Camavinga: Man United to battle Barcelona for French youngster

He went on to win three Premier League titles and FA cups before parting ways with the Etihad outfits following irreconcilable differences with Pep Guardiola.

Marcus Thuram player profile: Borussia, injury, contracts

Football

Swinging pendulum back on his long Premier League stint, the Ivory Coast legend said the Serbian star was the toughest player he ever played against.

"Nemanja Matic was complicated. He's not quick but he's so strong, clever," Toure told Time. All the rest of the opponents, because I always looked at them carefully before games, I get their weakness."

Toure also disclosed that his transfer move to Man City was because of the conviction he could become football iconic figure with the team.

READ ALSO: Kenya vs Togo: Harambee Stars held in Afcon 2021 Qualifier

The 36-year-old said he was lured to the English side because he was assured of bigger opportunity by club's chiefs.

"I was on the phone with (chief executive) Garry Cook. He promised me he was going to bring players to help me do great things at City. I said, ‘Sign David Silva first, and I will come.’ And Silva was saying, ‘Sign Yaya first and I will come!’ I said to Silva, ‘Sign! I am not going to run off!" he further said in the interesting interview.

Tebogo Langerman's cars, net worth, houses, wife and salary

Football

READ ALSO: Eden Hazard says he is not surprised by Lampard’s success at Chelsea as manager

The midfielder, who currently plays for Chinese side Qingdao Huanghai, joined City from Barcelona in 2010.

He made a total 316 appearances for the club before departing in 2018, but not without wining Premier League, FA cubs and and Community Shied.

Toure is also his country's legend scoring 19 goals in 101 appearances. He captained Ivory Coast to their first AFCON win since 1992 with a penalty shootout defeat of Ghana.

PAY ATTENTION: Install Pitch Football App for FREE to get the latest football News & Scores

The Premier League legend announced his retirement from international football September 2016.

Toure, was shown the way out of the pitch with a red card barely 10 seconds into a game which is potentially the final match of his lucrative career.

The Ivory coast international, who currently plays for Qingdao Huanghai, was given the marching order out of the pitch by the referee after involving in a retaliatory kick against an opponent player.

AFCON 2022: start date, fixtures, groups, teams to watch out for, venues

Football

Do you have an inspirational story you would like us to publish? Please reach us through news@tuko.co.ke or WhatsApp: 0732482690. Contact Tuko.co.ke instantly

KCPE Top performer's mother celebrates | Tuko TV: