Yaya Toure Left out of Manchester City's 2016-17 Champions League Squad

Manchester City have left veteran midfielder Yaya Toure out of their UEFA Champions League group-stage squad for the 2016-17 season. 

The squad list for the first six fixtures of the competition was confirmed on Friday on City’s website. There was no place for Toure, though, who has only started one competitive game since manager Pep Guardiola took over at the club. 

The 33-year-old has been a longstanding part of the City side and was a regular in the XI as they made their way into the semi-finals of the tournament last term.

However, there have been times in the Champions League in recent seasons when Toure, formerly a powerhouse in both defence and attack, has looked ponderous. Indeed, as City were eliminated by Real Madrid at the semi-final stage in 2015-16, the midfielder’s lack of energy saw the team overrun in midfield.

Of course, even without his work rate there is plenty Toure can offer. As these numbers from OptaJoe noted, the former Barcelona man is a proven goalscorer at this level:

The new manager likes to play a particular way, though, and he hinted earlier this summer that Toure may not be a key part of his team, as he was left out of the squad for the first leg of the Champions League qualifier against Steaua Bucharest. Guardiola said he was “looking for a more intensive game,” and that's why Toure was dropped, per David McDonnell of the Daily Mirror.

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Indeed, the illustrious coach hasn’t shied away from making big decisions since taking over at City, having shipped out the club’s popular long-term goalkeeper Joe Hart on loan to Torino and drafting in Claudio Bravo from Barcelona.

With no Hart or Toure, and Vincent Kompany currently injured, it means City will be without many of the club's leaders when they take to the field for European ties. Guardiola will be hoping some new ones can emerge from those selected to take part in the competition.