Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini believes Yaya Toure's form
could be suffering as he comes to terms with his brother's death.
Pellegrini, whose renowned man-management skills were a key factor in
his appointment at the Etihad Stadium, has offered the club's full
support to his star midfielder.
The Chilean manager's thoughts throw a different light on Toure's below-par performances in the opening weeks of the new season.
The Ivorian has not matched the standards he set during a brilliant
2013-14 campaign, with critics coming out in force after Wednesday's
Champions League loss at Bayern Munich.
The 31-year-old's fitness, body language, commitment and defensive
work were all questioned after a particularly ineffectual second-half
display at the Allianz Arena. There were also suggestions the City
talisman could be past his best.
Toure's disappointing form comes after a turbulent summer in which he criticised the club and speculation arose over his future.
But Pellegrini insists those issues have not affected him and any
lack of edge could be down to the impact of the loss of his younger
brother Ibrahim to cancer in June.
Pellegrini, speaking at a press conference, said: "He is a player that makes a difference in big games.
"Maybe some of you think it's strange he is not in the best moment,
but we started the season and maybe he had a lot of personal problems
with his brother, not what was said in the media, but in what he feels
about it. There are a lot of human things and maybe that is why he is
not in his best performance at the moment.
"I think as a team, as a coach, as a club we must support him because
he is a very important player. He makes a difference and I'm sure he
will return to his best."
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