Yaya Touré Must Leave Barcelona

It will be a sad day for all fans of FC Barcelona when Yaya Toure leaves the Camp Nou, but after his performance today against Valladolid, there is no question it is a change that must happen. 

Toure played in a more attacking role, a position he played during his time at Monaco, and was the heart of Barcelona's 4-0 victory which clinched the La Liga title for the second consecutive season. 

As usual, the Ivorian was brilliant in recovering the ball and breaking up the opposition's counter attack (on the few occasions they came out), but received more time on the ball with Xavi suspended. He did not disappoint, playing a hand in three of Barcelona's four goals. 

After a shocking own goal from Luis Pietro gifted Barcelona the lead, Lionel Messi began one of his typical runs from the other defensive half of the field before playing a pass to Yaya, who laid the ball back into Messi's path with the most delicate of flicks. Messi went on to assist Pedro, but the goal would not have been possible had it not been for Toure's excellent give-and-go with the diminutive Argentine. 

On the hour mark, Toure nutmegged a defender before charging into the penalty area past a sliding challenge and rolling the ball across the face of goal for an easy tap in from Messi.

For Barcelona's fourth, Touré threaded a brilliant through ball for Messi to do the rest and equal Ronaldo's record of 34 goals in a La Liga season.

With the game and title all but won, Toure showed his versatility by sliding into the back four as Zlatan Ibrahimovic came on for Dani Alves.

After such a great game, why should Toure leave a club where he has now won seven trophies in the past two years? The answer is simple. He has been the victim of some of the most blatant and unfortunate favoritism in football.

Coach Pep Guardiola has insisted on playing Sergio Busquets, whose father played with Guardiola during his days at Barcelona. Busquets has been one of Barcelona's worst players this season, proving to be a better actor than footballer.

Despite a slew of ill fated back passes that plagued him early in the season, a red card for an incredibly foolish handball against Real Madrid, and a series of defensive lapses, Guardiola continued to start Busquets in the biggest games, most importantly the Champions League Semifinal against Inter when Barcelona fell 3-1 despite owning the majority of the possession.

That day, Busquets was helpless against Inter's counterattack and failed to contain playmaker Wesley Sneijder, yet Guardiola allowed the Catalan to play the full 90 minutes. 

Perhaps not surprisingly, some of Barcelona's best moments came after Busquets was substituted. 

During the Club World Cup in December, Busquets failed to keep up with the 34-year-old Juan Sebastian Veron of Estudiantes. Only after Toure came on for the ineffective Sergio did Barcelona finally equalize at the death, enabling Messi to snatch victory in extra time. 

This June, Toure has the chance to show the world just how great he is in the World Cup's "Group of Death" for the Ivory Coast. 

Although there has never been any question that his defensive ability is the strength of his game—last season's Champions League run is evidence—it is his attacking prowess, as well as ability in the air, that separates Toure from Busquets and other "holding" midfielders. 

After his agent made it known that there is a "90 percent chance" that he leaves, it is believed that a number of top clubs from across Europe will be lining up for the Barca man. 

Arsenal would be a perfect, as his steel in the tackle is a trait missing at Arsene Wenger's side, but his passing and movement would allow him to settle into the team without much adjustment. 

The richest club in the world, Manchester City, will also be a candidate especially as Yaya's brother Kolo is the captain of the club. 

Manchester United is another possible destination, but wherever he goes, there is no question he will be he will be the unquestioned starter in front of the back four. 

The idea of seeing Yaya return to the Nou Camp to mark Xavi in a Champions League match is frightening to any fan. No one can blame the Ivorian for wanting to play a bigger part in his team. For his sake he should be encouraged to leave and find a place where he can earn the first team football he deserves.