King Kolo (Kolo Toure)

Member Name: ld75454

Product:	Kolo Toure
Date:	23/03/09 (653 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Fast, powerful, passionate.

Disadvantages: Not the tallest of players

Kolo Habib Toure was born in 1981 on March the 19th in Bouake, Ivory Coast. He joined the ASEC Mimosas youth team in 1994 after being scouted (along with his friend Aruna Dindane) whilst playing an eight a-side game for his local team. He wasn't initially supported in his choice to become a footballer as his father didn't believe that he would cut it. How wrong could he be? Toure went on to play his first game for ASEC Mimosas whilst playing in the African Super Cup at 17 years of age. He carried on developing fantastically for the next two seasons and was scouted by Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger.

He signed for Arsenal Football Club on the 14th February from ASEC Mimosas, for a fee thought to be in the region of £150,000, following a trial. He was able to acquire a British work permit due to the fact that he was already a full international for the Ivory Coast national team. He is recognised for being one of Arsene Wenger's best buys due to his immense talent at such a low price. Toure had previously played as a right midfielder or winger for ASEC Mimosas but Wenger decided to move him in the centre back position due to his defensive qualities. He is also able to play anywhere in the midfield if necessary.

It was in August 2002 that Kolo Toure made his debut for Arsenal's first team in the FA Community Shield against Liverpool and this was a great start to his Arsenal career as they won 1-0. He then went on to score his first goal in a 1-1 draw against Arsenal's London rivals, Chelsea. Clearly he was trying to make a name for himself against the big teams in the English Premier League. His first season playing in Arsenal's first team was a success as he gained his first medal when Arsenal won the FA Cup.

The 2003-04 season saw Kolo Toure utilised next to Sol Campbell. They developed an amazing partnership which saw Arsenal undefeated for the entire season. Not bad for someone as young as Kolo was at the time. It was in this season that he made a name for being an attacking defender making driving runs from the back. He is the longest serving Arsenal centre back and now the only member of the 'invincibles' year that remains at Arsenal.

After being in and out of Arsenal's starting eleven throughout the 2004-05, he became one of the best centre-backs in the Premier League the following season and cemented his place in the team. He was rewarded for his consistency and strong willpower by being handed the number 5 shirt in the 2006-07 season.

Kolo Toure is, in my opinion, an outstanding defender. He has the ability to read and kill the danger from the opposition rapidly due to his immense pace. He has the ability to time a tackle to perfection which is a rarity in the current game! You won't find him breaking anyone else's bones. He is also a player that is recognised for his strength and athleticism. This means that he can catch up which his opponents should they break away from him and get the ball back.

What I also like about Kolo is that he has an immense amount of drive and enthusiasm. This is evident in most games that he plays as he often drives forward in his runs from the back. His eagerness and guidance is more than welcome in the current Arsenal squad as they seem to be a team that lack in leadership (supposedly).

On the negative side of things, Kolo Toure is fairly short for a defender at only 6ft tall. This is harmful to Arsenal on occasions as William Gallas is also on the shorter side as when it comes to defending corners and free kicks, Arsenal lack a bit of height. Kolo makes up for this with his fantastic marking ability in preventing corners whenever possible.

Toure's brother, Yaya, is also a professional footballer who plays for Barcelona Football Club. He also had a trial with Arsenal when he was younger but did not get offered the opportunity to join the club. However, he has since been linked with a move to Arsenal to link up with Kolo, but this supposed move has yet to materialise.

Kolo is a firm favourite when it comes to the fans. I don't think that there are many Gooners out there that don't have a soft spot for Kolo. This is probably due to his zealous personality. He always seems to wear his heart on his sleeve but doesn't lose his temper very quickly.

One of his worst experiences is likely to be when he was sent off in the 90th minute of the Carling Cup Final between Arsenal and Chelsea after clashing with John-Obi Mikel. This wasn't didn't really affect the 2-1 loss outcome of the game as Adebayor had already been sent off and it was close to the final whistle.

Much to the dismay of many Arsenal fans, Kolo Toure handed in a transfer request during the January transfer window. This was due to ongoing disputes with fellow team mate William Gallas. This was later withdrawn and the future surrounding Kolo Toure is confused as he has refused to commit his long-term future to Arsenal Football Club. His current contract ends in 2010. I am hopeful that his passion for the club will lead him to another deal and a longer spell at the Emirates stadium. Man City hands off!

Kolo Toure is also a vital player for his country. He has played internationally for the Ivory Coast since 2000, making his debut against Rwanda in April of that year. He is now their first choice central defender and a key player for the team aswell as his brother Yaya, Emmanuel Eboue and Didier Drogba. A memorable moment in his international career to date will be when his country reached the final in the African Cup of Nations in 2006 but narrowly missed out to Egypt.

At the present time, it appears that Kolo Toure has found it difficult to find his form of last season and found himself on the bench occasionally after having a spell out on the sidelines with injury. This is also due to the fact that John Djourou has found himself pushing for starts in addition to the arrival of Mikael Silvestre. I am optimistic that he will find his form of last season and is beginning to get back to his best. Hopefully he will continue the successful partnership that he has built up with William Gallas despite it being common knowledge that they do not get along socially.

On a personal note, Kolo Toure is married to Awo Toure and has a son, Yiassin. He is also a practising Muslim.

Overall, I believe that you cannot help but love Kolo Toure. He is a fast and powerful defender that is extremely likable. His passion for Arsenal is unquestionable despite there being a great deal of uncertainty regarding his future at the club. I hope that a new deal is agreed and he is an Arsenal player for a long time to come.

Summary: The Immense Ivorian.