Yaya Toure may miss the next five games for Manchester City, and his loss will be larger than many predicted.

So far this season, Yaya Toure has an average pass-rate of 86.5 passes per game. By contrast Fernandinho has 50 per game, and Fernando has 47.9. This difference is remarkable, and shows how much Yaya Toure ties the team together. His departure for the African Cup of Nations is definitely a big blow for City, leaving a large creative hole in midfield.

After Manchester City’s frankly disappointing display against Everton at the weekend, there have been numerous post-mortem examinations of the performance, particularly as it saw City surrender a two goal lead.

On alarming statistic that surfaced as a result of the post-game analysis is that Manchester City have failed to win a Premier League away game without Yaya Toure since last April. OK, it’s a slightly inflammatory statistic given that City have also not won four games that the Ivorian was involved in, but it raises the question of just how vital Yaya Toure is to the team, in particular converting draws into wins.

In the center of midfield, Toure provides the leadership for the more attacking players that Vincent Kompany provides defensively. The sight of Yaya Toure either running at defenses or spreading the ball around the front four is a common one, and a fairly reassuring one at that.

neither seem to take games by the scruff of the neck.

The midfield partnership of Fernandinho and Fernando in Yaya Toure’s absence isn’t a bad one, but it certainly lacks some of the inventiveness and physical dominance that Toure brings. It is a partnership still in its infancy, but you feel that neither seem to take games by the scruff of the neck.

Earlier in the season, Yaya Toure came under some criticism for not living up to the high standards he set in the previous year, criticism that he then shrugged off with a series of impressive performances.

There has been talk of seeking Toure’s long term successor, and at 31 its certainly a worthwhile consideration. Whether or not a Pogba or a Barkley could fill the Ivorian’s shoes is up for debate. Both share certain characteristics with Yaya Toure, but whether or not they can live up to every aspect of his game is up for debate.