Football
9y

Yaya Toure, James Milner were not waving goodbye, says Pellegrini

Manuel Pellegrini insisted that Manchester City have not definitely waved farewell to Yaya Toure and James Milner after both were substituted to standing ovations in their 2-0 win over Southampton.

England international Milner is out of contract, wanted by Arsenal and Liverpool and seems likely to leave despite City's improved offer of a £165,000-a-week contract.

Vice-captain Toure's agent has said he is "90 percent certain" to leave and Inter Milan have been public in their desire to sign the 32-year-old.

But although both were given rousing receptions when they were replaced, manager Pellegrini refused to accept City have seen the last of them and claimed both were removed because of injury worries.

"I think the only player that said goodbye was Frank Lampard," he said in his news conference, explaining why he took the other two midfielders off.

"Yaya returned in the last game after an injury. He finished very tired, he couldn't finish the last game and I didn't want him to have some muscle injuries. Milner has an important kick in his knee. That is why he couldn't finish the game."

Pellegrini praised Milner, who joined City from Aston Villa for £26 million in 2010, and who is yet to reveal what he will do next.

"James said that he was taking the decision at the end of the season," the City manager added. "It depends on what we wants to do with his future. He is a very important player. He gave us a lot of spirit in this year."

Lampard, who is joining New York City FC, opened the scoring with his 177th and last Premier League goal and Pellegrini said it was a "perfect" send-off for the former Chelsea player.

"I think he deserves the farewell all our fans give him," he added. "It was very important also for him to score. I think it was the perfect goodbye for him. He deserves it for his brilliant career and a great person."

Pellegrini, who seems likely to stay on himself, is having an end-of-season meeting with chairman Khaldoon al Mubarak.

"I am always talking with Khaldoon," he said. "I don't need a special meeting but when you finish the season you must analyse what you did."

Sergio Aguero was City's other scorer against Southampton, netting his 26th league goal of the season and his 32nd in all competitions.

"It is difficult to be impressed with Sergio," added Pellegrini. "I work with him every day and know what a player he is. It is very important for him to win the Golden Boot for the first time in his career. I am sure we will see Kun as a better player in the next years."

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