YAYA Toure’s agent has urged Manchester City’s fans to show their appreciation for the midfielder- by turning up with birthday cakes to the Etihad on Saturday.
Toure will turn 34 on the day that City host Leicester City, a game that Pep Guardiola’s men need to win in order to strengthen their grip on the top four places with three games left.
The Ivory Coast international is set to leave this summer when his contract expires, and agent Dimitri Seluk wants City fans to show their appreciation for his client after seven years at the club.
Supporters will not have forgotten ‘cakegate’, an incident sparked by Seluk in 2014 after he felt that Toure was disrespected by the club when they did not celebrate his birthday sufficiently.
He accused the club owners of eating a 100kg cake when City won the Premier League title, while not even shaking his hand on his birthday.
Toure himself tweeted his support for Seluk’s comments at the time, and the episode lead to constant speculation that Toure, who has won two Premier League titles with City, would depart from the Etihad.
Toure has been an important part of Guardiola’s plans this season, despite starting fewer games than in previous years, and Seluk is determined for his client to get a fitting send-off.
“The City fans should all bring cakes to the game to show Yaya how much they love him”, said Seluk.
“It looks like this will be Yaya’s final season with City and I think he deserves a special goodbye from the people of Manchester.”
“What happened three years ago was a joke that was misunderstood. I think everybody will be able to laugh about it if supporters gave him a cake for his birthday.
“Yaya loves City and he loves the fans. When he came, City could only dream about winning the Premier League and playing in the Champions League- and he has made those dreams come true.”
A win against Leicester would leave City’s quest for a top four place in their own hands.
Guardiola’s team are currently three points clear of fifth placed Arsenal, and face West Brom at home and Watford away in their final two fixtures after this weekend.
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