Yaya Toure says Manchester City’s old guard are drilling a stern message into the club’s new stars: that this season hasn’t been anywhere near good enough.
City are fifth in the Premier League heading into their clash at West Ham tonight (9.45pm).
And Toure, 33, is demanding that they return to the top of the pile.
Although Pep Guardiola has thrown new young talents such as Gabriel Jesus, Raheem Sterling and Leroy Sane into his team, he is still calling on the spine of the squad which include Toure and captain Vincent Kompany.
Toure missed a big part of the season after a falling-out between his agent and Guardiola, and Kompany has been hampered by injury.
They were the driving force behind City’s most successful era and are now trying to pass down their wisdom to the new blood.
Toure explains: “‘The Three Musketeers Joe Hart was there, Kompany, me... and a couple of other players who were very strong in the dressing room.
“When something was not going well those guys would come and help.
“We just have to pass the message on to the kids – because this club is not about finishing second or third position. We need to finish first.
“This year is very tough but we are going to keep going and see what happens ahead.
“It is very important for City because football keeps going and the new generation is coming stronger.
“Of course we have big players around but those players are going to learn from the experienced players.”
Sterling, 22, and Leroy Sane, 21, have become key men in Guardiola’s side, while 19-year-old £27million signing Jesus is also finding his place at City.
Toure adds: “We know if they perform like they performed at Crystal Palace [in their 3-0 FA Cup win], for example – like Sane, who is doing very well at the moment – it is going to be brilliant for the club and for the club’s future.”
West Ham, meanwhile, will play in their first match after selling star player Dimitri Payet, with manager Slaven Bilic saying: “He [Payet] was brilliant. I was so happy and proud, with my team, my staff, to help him achieve what he did.
“What he achieved with us was a great story for West Ham...”