The African Cup of Nations is just a couple of weeks away and Tottenham striker Emmanuel Adebayor is already predicting a tough title challenge for Manchester City.
The Citizens are set to lose their most influential player of the season so far-Yaya Toure. Yaya who was also named as the African player of the Year 2011 has been in scintillating form for City helping them to a first place finish in the league for the first time in 82 years since Christmas 1929.
City have lost just once in all 17 matches played so far and they will be looking to preserve their momentum and near perfect run going into the new year. Both the Toure brothers will represent the Ivory Coast in the 2012 tournament.
Speaking to reporters, Adebayor said the departure of both players would greatly impact the Citizens title hopes.
”They have two players going to the African Nations Cup. Kolo Toure is not playing a lot but he is a great player,” Ade said.
”Yaya Toure has been amazing for them this year.
”We will have to wait and see (how they cope). In football you can have two or three injuries in a week. That has happened to us recently. City have a great team, a great spirit and at the moment they are playing good football, but if they got a couple of injuries I think it would be very difficult for them.”
Of course City will miss the services of the Toure’s however, with such a deep squad, there are equally capable players who could replace them, however, the same cannot be said about Chelsea.
The Blues have struggled to impose themselves in the title race this season and with Drogba and Kalou set to leave for the month long tournament, Villas-Boas has his work cut out for him.
Fellow striker Torres is struggling to get his shooting boots on and the only consistent striker Villas-Boas can count on is Daniel Sturridge. Chelsea are down to position 4 and 11 points off the pace set by City and the more they continue getting inconsistent results, the more their situation will continue to get worse.
Photo Credit © topcornertekkers
