Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini has dismissed any suggestions Yaya Toure could be sold or taken out of the firing line.
Toure, City's chief midfield inspiration for the past four years, has been below his best for much of the current season.
The 31-year-old was sent off for an act of petulance in the midweek Champions League loss to CSKA Moscow and there have been reports that City are now willing to consider offloading him.
Pellegrini insists there is no truth in that and any claims otherwise are probably wishful thinking on the part of others.
The Chilean said: "There must be a lot of reports telling (the story) that Yaya will be sold. Maybe (it is) all the other teams that want Manchester City to be a weaker team!
"Yaya is a very important player. He played very well in the first half (against CSKA) - he scored a goal. In the second half he made a mistake and he was sent off but - never in my mind - I am sure nobody at the club is talking about selling Yaya Toure."
Toure was outstanding as City won the Barclays Premier League last season but he has not been his usual commanding self since a turbulent summer.
He voiced criticisms of City, became embroiled in a bizarre row with the club over how his birthday was celebrated and then suffered personal tragedy when his brother died.
Earlier this week, he became the victim of racial abuse after reactivating his Twitter account.
His red card as City struggled on Wednesday might have been the culmination of a number of issues but Pellegrini maintains the player has his full backing and will remain in his side.
He said: "He is a very important player. He will continue to play (and in) the (position) he is playing so far, because that is the best way for him to play.
"I talk to him every day and I know he wants to continue playing and he has all my confidence."
City's underwhelming form this season has also seen Pellegrini face criticism. Last weekend's derby victory over Manchester United is City's only win in their last five games.
They are yet to convince in their Premier League title defence and the defeat by CSKA has left them in danger of Champions League elimination.
Pellegrini's methods are being questioned but, for a second week in succession, he has insisted the pressure does not bother him.
Speaking at a press conference to preview Saturday's trip to QPR, the former Real Madrid coach said: "I don't have any other pressures. I don't feel external pressure (and have not done) in my whole career.
"I've had a long career as a football player, around 15 years with a big team in Chile. After that I managed a lot of big teams in Argentina, Spain and here, and I am used to having different moments during the whole year.
"You have to be sure in what you are doing. That is why I continue playing what I think is the best way and I will not change because of two or three results.
"This is not a big crisis because we are less than half way into the season. It is impossible to have any conclusions."
Pellegrini also feels that applies within the club and he is confident he has the backing of the hierarchy.
He said: "All the contacts I need at this club, I have without any problem. Never do I feel they are doubting in every sense.
"All these things I think come from outside the club - (to them) it is very important to try and attack Man City so they can be a weaker team."
Pellegrini claims it is too early to write off his side or any of his, so far, disappointing summer signings. Eliaquim Mangala has struggled since his £32million arrival while former Porto team-mate Fernando has also had difficulties since recently returning from injury.
Pellegrini said: "This is not the moment to take conclusions about what has happened in the season. We are just starting the season.
"I remember all the criticism of Martin Demichelis last year. Maybe we are seeing the same now about Mangala.
"We have a squad that had some (spending) restrictions this year.
"We tried to choose the players we thought we needed in defence. I am very happy with (Willy) Caballero, Mangala, Fernando and the other players that arrived this year.
"We will make conclusions when we finish the season in May. It is impossible to do it now."
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