The Blue half of Manchester will still be recovering from the inevitable celebrations which followed their historic FA Cup semi final triumph over old nemesis United. City were victorious in a 1-0 victory at Wembley that saw tempers flair and plenty of passion injected back into a competition which has arguably been on the decline in recent years.
With a final against Stoke City now lined up, it seems that some of the millions invested in club are starting to pay off. But a place in the top 4, which will book them a ticket to next season’s Champions League, is certainly more important. Currently sitting in 4th spot in with Tottenham nibbling at their tails, City’s remaining 6 games are crucial (bla WHM eve & TOT STK bol). But, on paper, they are very favourable with a visit of Harry Redknapp’s men the most weighty of those clashes.
Without Carlos Tevez to pick up the pieces, as he has done on so many occasion this term, City will be relying on the others to cement their European place. FA Cup semi final goal scorer and new City hero Yaya Toure could be just the knight in sky blue armour. He also offers plenty for Fantasy Managers to consider…
Manchester City boast a squad where the likes of Adam Johnson, James Milner and Edin Dzeko, regularly find themselves benched, but Yaya Toure is one of only a few exceptions to the rotation policy at Eastland as he has only missed 3 Premier League games this season. In Fantasy terms he offers plenty of potential, with a budget price of just 5.6 on the FPL game.
Yaya is currently City’s top FPL points scorer in midfield, with 123 points which includes 5 goals, 6 assists and 13 bonus points. In the Manchester derby he played a more prominent midfield role to compensate for the lack of the aforementioned Argentine and in this attacking position, against forthcoming winnable opposition, you would expect Yaya to add to his tally.
Whilst you’re pondering Yaya, it is also worth considering Adam Johnson. The winger has recently come back into the fold and his creativity and invention will be paramount without Tevez. The youngster has proven his worth in a season riddled with injury and picked up 84 points, with just 11 starts and 15 substitute appearances – 4 goals, 5 assists and 9 bonus points.
There’s nothing much between Johnson and Yaya; they hold the same valuation and both are likely to be very important over the coming Gameweeks against relatively uncomplicated opposition. The main dilemma would be form though – something which the Ivorian certainly holds more of.
