Yaya Toure
Former Manchester City star Yaya Toure has revealed his intentions to return to the Premier League.
The 36-year-old, who spent eight successful years in England with City, is currently plying his trade in China with Qingdao Huanghai.
Although Toure recently helped Qingdao Huanghai secure promotion to the Chinese Super League, the former Ivory Coast international has admitted he would be open to a return to the English top flight.
“I would love it but it depends on which kind of team,” he told Sky Sports.
“We will see because sometimes in Europe people look at ages in a different way – it’s not about that. It depends on the club and what they want to achieve.
“I don’t want to go too far and propose myself but I just want them to give me a chance, we will see.”
Toure, who is currently going through the process of trying to get his coaching badges, believes he has a few more years yet as a player but would consider taking a ‘player-coach’ role now.
He added, “In my mind I give myself one or maybe two years maximum playing football, after that I want to enjoy myself with my family and try to work in other ways.
“I want to be proud of myself. As a footballer sometimes when you stop it early it is because people are trying to stop you, it’s not coming from your heart, it’s complicated.
“I remember when I was in Greece and people were speculating about my career – I was not happy. Something was missing. I want to be in control.
“I think I have to start to do my [coaching] badges. Football has been all my life from when I was a kid until now. Football is part of me and I can stop watching football or being part of it.”