Yaya Toure: Is he better than Patrick Vieira?

Better than Patrick Viera?

The similarities are unmistakable. A massive upper body frame, tireless runs covering every blade of grass, an unrivalled midfield marshalling prowess, and not to forget the failure to find the right sized pair of shorts for those long lower limbs.

Separated by a generation, Patrick Vieira and Yaya Toure are two ideal examples of the modern day midfielder. Pace, power, bundles of creativity and an unrelenting eye for goal. Back in the day, Vieira was the first of the full utility midfielder generation. When on top of his game, the Arsenal skipper could dictate a game on his own. An on-fire Thierry Henry or not, Vieira was the pulse of the Arsenal team.

In him, Arsene Wenger and later Roberto Mancini had a leader of men, a selfless individual whose consistency paved the way for the continued dominance of their respective sides. A poster outside the Emirates epitomizes the Frenchman’s unique style and impeccable contribution to the North London club. Alongside his picture are the words, “Mixed brains with brawn, Senegalese silk with steel” engraved in bold letters, alluding to his Senegalese roots.

Patrick Viera the most complete midfielder to play in the EPL?

Eight years after Patrick Vieira’s final kick in an Arsenal shirt, the mantle of the English game’s most wholesome midfielder has been taken over by another man with African roots. Much like his predecessor, Yaya Toure is a colossus in midfield, with bedazzling skill and technique to muffle the life out of any opponent. Along with David Silva, Toure was the one of the main architects of Manchester City’s historic Premier league winning campaign back in 2012.

After operating in the holding midfield role for a major part of his early career, the Ivorian has evolved into a magnificent box-to-box midfielder, whose ability to switch from a defensive role into an offensive outlet with aplomb sets him apart from his contemporaries.

But is Yaya Toure actually better than Patrick Vieira? This is not a Messi-Ronaldo equivalence, which can be settled by the no. of goals scored or the no. of assists provided. Impact is a word often overused in footballing terms, but when it comes to the both of them, it holds true with overwhelming distinction. Vieira’s absence clearly showed on his team’s performance on the day, and so does Toure’s. Such is Toure’s influence on a football game that it determines the fortunes of his side more often than not.

After a relatively poor last season by his high standards, the big Ivorian has rekindled the kind of form that made City league champions two seasons ago. With 11 straight league wins and just one loss at the Etihad, and an avalanche of goals to go with it, Yaya Toure and Manchester City are at the peak of their powers. When on song, the Citizens are by far the most lethal team in the Premier League, mixing attack and caution with devastating effect.

Toure has been the lynchpin of the team this season, racking up a flurry of goals and assists in the current campaign. His command and control over the ball in the middle of the park is right up there with Vieira, if not better.

But as it often happens in football, the stature of a player is determined by the amount of silverware he wins at the end of his career. Yaya Toure is neck and neck with Vieira in that department too. By the time Patrick Vieira had hung up his boots, he had won seven league titles in two different countries, and a World Cup and European title with his national team to go with it. Yaya Toure has also won titles in two different countries, along with a Champions League medal, something which eluded Vieira during his distinguished career.

Vieira’s performances lit up the international stage as well, something which Yaya Toure has failed to do so far. Yaya Toure does not a possess a strong team comprising the likes of Zinedine Zidane and Thierry Henry while playing in national colours, but 2014 World Cup will be a litmus test for him to show his mettle in an Ivory Coast shirt.

Ten years ago, it was virtually impossible to imagine that a player could reach the same heights as Vieira, but then every once in a while comes along an extraordinary player who makes you stand up and take notice. Yaya Toure is one of them.