Yaya Touré unlikely to face Chelsea

Yaya Touré unlikely to face Chelsea even if Ivory Coast are knocked out

• Touré due at event in Ivory Coast after Africa Cup of Nations
• Trip is likely to delay midfielder’s return to Manchester City
• City face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday
• Pellegrini switches focus to Chelsea after Cup exit



Manchester City’s hopes of having Yaya Touré back in time for Saturday’s vital match at Chelsea have been hit by Ivory Coast’s plan to fly back from Equatorial Guinea to their country for a reception when they are knocked out of the Africa Cup of Nations.

If the Elephants are eliminated from the tournament following Wednesday evening’s final group match with Cameroon in Malabo, City would have to lay on a private jet and hope that Touré is given special permission to miss the reception if he is to return at the earliest point.

Manuel Pellegrini wants the 31-year-old back as soon as possible if he is to have the optimum recovery time for the trip to Stamford Bridge for Saturday’s 5.30pm kick-off.

As the Ivory Coast captain, Touré would be expected to attend the reception, meaning he would lose up to 24 hours’ recovery time as he would not land back in England until Friday.

Eric Kakou, an Ivory Coast media officer, confirmed the schedule but said he did not know whether there was any prospect of Touré being released from the commitment. “The plan is for all players to fly back to Ivory Coast after being knocked out.”

After four 1-1 draws, all the teams in Group D stand on two points and have each scored twice and conceded two goals. This means that if Ivory Coast lose to Cameroon in a match kicking off at 7pm local time they will definitely be eliminated. But if they draw then their record will be identical to that of Cameroon, and unless Guinea and Mali are involved in a higher-scoring draw then Ivory Coast’s participation will rest on the drawing of lots.

Lots will also be required to decide who is first and who second if the matches finish in draws with differing scorelines. If both games finish in identical draws, then the top two places will be decided by the drawing of lots.

If Touré does arrive back in time for City’s game at Stamford Bridge, he is likely to start on the bench.

Guardian