Manchester City’s midfielder Yaya Toure has criticises footballers who trade from Europe to China.
Chinese Super League clubs have been attracting a number of high-profile signings from Europe including Brazillian midfielder Oscar from Chelsea FC to Shanghai SIPG for £52 million. Rivals Shanghai Senhua signed Argentinian striker Carlos Tevez for €84 million.
Speaking to British media, Toure said he would rather follow Manchester United’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic and stay in Europe.
“Do you play football because you love football or do you play because you want to make money? Me, I just want to play football because I enjoy it,” Toure said.”Some people have the mentality that they want to do that (go to China) – to try something different. But for me, my feeling is that I want to play more football.”
“Look at my friend Ibrahimovic. He’s 35 and he’s going to play for maybe three more years? He’s got the same mentality as me. He’s a big player, a champion who loves football. It’s football first. Anything after that is a bonus.”
Toure has been an instrumental player to City’s successes since joining the club from Barcelona in 2010. However, the midfielder was frozen out of the squad following a row between his agent and Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola.
“I want to play in Europe, especially in England. I want to continue doing that for a few years yet. I always say that if I went to China I would end up feeling angry there,” the 33-year-old added.
