Frank Lampard Ranks Yaya Toure In Top 5 Midfield Opponents

If there's one man who knows about playing against some of the best midfielders it's Frank Lampard. The Chelsea legend has named Yaya Toure as one of his five toughest Premier League opponents.

Yaya Toure will leave Manchester City as a three time Premier League winner when the season ends on Sunday and yet he'll best be remembered for the time he wanted to leave the club because they didn't get him a birthday cake.

The Ivorian though has had a huge impact on the Premier League champions since arriving in 2010 and for their first two Premier League wins was an essential part of the squad.

_{Who else could you pick up on a free this summer?}

Since Pep Guardiola took over his impact on the team has waned, partially due to an argument between Toure's agent and the City boss, and he has only made nine appearances as a substitute this season.

However Frank Lampard, writing for BBC Sport, believes that Toure was one of the toughest midfield opponents he played against in the Premier League, and he played against a fair few. The Chelsea legend wrote:

"I would put Yaya Toure in the top five of the toughest midfield opponents I faced in my career, as at his peak he could change games on his own.

"Steven Gerrard probably edges it as the best I have played against, for his consistency over the years, but Yaya is up there along with Roy Keane, Patrick Vieira and Paul Scholes - which shows how highly I rate him."

Toure with his second Premier League title. Image: PA Images

Lampard explained exactly why he rated Toure so highly, adding, "Every midfielder has different attributes but the best players are the ones you fear, and I certainly did that when I was up against Yaya.

"Even some of the very best play within themselves slightly, but he didn't. He would hurt you by going forward and by scoring goals at the end of it, which is always a great trait that not many midfield players have.

"When I faced him, I knew he was very good on the ball and could pass it around me if he wanted to. He knew the moments to keep it simple and move the ball around."

Toure is out of contract in the summer so will be available for free and there's numerous clubs in England's top tier wanting to sign him with Everton, Burnley, and Wolves all linked.

They'll certainly be signing one of the best midfielders of the generation.

Topics: Manchester City, Frank Lampard, Football News, Premier League, Yaya Toure

Ryan Sidle

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