Pellegrini refuses to criticize Yaya Toure over poor performance

Manuel Pellegrini has hit back at criticism of Yaya Toure, stating that the midfielder is not solely responsible for how his team plays.
The Ivorian put in another limp performance, as Manchester City were beaten 1-0 in their opening game of the Champions League on Wednesday and former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes, slammed his lack of defensive contribution labelling it as a “major problem”.
“It is not fair for me to criticise what Yaya did in the last game. That is my way of thinking,” said Pellegrini.
“Normally, when we win or lose, it is because all the team played well or badly. Everyone knows which are the best performances of the players and we are trying to reach that level of performance for all of them as a team.
“I don’t agree that Yaya has [to shoulder] all the responsibility about the game we played. Yaya always has commitment with the team, the squad and with his team-mates. He does not have a problem.”
The Chilean manager also confirmed that Frank Lampard is contention to face his former side on Sunday.
“Frank is part of our squad and tomorrow I will give the squad list for the game,” he added.
“I am sure he will be involved in that. Frank didn’t continue at Chelsea because Chelsea didn’t want him.
“He couldn’t continue playing for the team he played for all his life, but he has a right to carry on playing football and we are happy to have him.”