Yaya Toure: City's man-mountain (Video)

Having just been named 2012 African Player of the Year, Yaya Toure looks set to continue dominating games in the Premier League.

The Manchester City midfielder won the award for the second consecutive year, beating off Chelsea’s Champions League hero Didier Drogba in the process.  On his way to winning the award in 2011, Toure scored the winning goals in both the semi-final and the final of the 2011 FA Cup.  Both matches ended in 1-0 victories, the first knocking City’s neighbours Manchester United out of the competition at the penultimate stage and the second ending the club’s 35-year wait for a major trophy.  Toure’s highlight of 2012 (and no doubt one of his career so far) was winning the Premier League title, as City clinched the championship in dramatic fashion on the final day of the season.

Already a hero amongst the City faithful, a combination of sheer size and immense skill makes Yaya Toure a joy to watch.  The pure energy he displays sees him involved in action all over the pitch, whilst both the passing and shooting ability of the former Barcelona midfielder mean he is a powerful force to be reckoned with.  Undoubted talented, few players could match Toure’s strength, an attribute the big man regularly utilises to great effect.  Unable to cope with him on and off the ball, several Premier League teams will be hoping that the Ivory Coast international remains on duty with his country right up to the African Cup of Nations final. 

City may still have a great team without him, but more often than not it is Yaya Toure who is at the heart of their play.

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