Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini has insisted he never doubted Yaya Toure's commitment this season, despite Inter Milan's interest in the Ivory Coast international.
Toure has been criticised for his body language, performances and attitude towards defending following a stand-off between him and the club when his agent accused City of ignoring his 31st birthday last summer.
But manager Pellegrini has retained Toure as vice-captain and saw the former Barcelona player justify his faith by scoring twice to inspire City to a 4-2 win at Swansea on Sunday.
"I didn't have any doubt about Yaya," Pellegrini told Sky Sports. "Maybe the media started with him after his birthday. After that he went to the Africa Cup [of Nations] and we couldn't win [the Premier League].
"Maybe an important player has more criticism, but I never had doubts what he is like as a player and his commitment to the team."
Toure's Ivory Coast teammate Wilfried Bony was also among the scorers and was applauded by both sets of fans after he had a successful 18-month spell at Swansea.
"That was the reception that he deserved because he was a very important player here in Swansea," Pellegrini added in his news conference.
It was just Bony's second goal for City since his £25 million move in January but Pellegrini is adamant the 26-year-old has a major role to play in their future.
"He was very unlucky maybe this year when we bought him because he started by going to the Africa Cup of Nations and he came back with a lot of games in his body," he explained.
"After that he had an important injury in his ankle and his knee in the same leg, so he stopped for about three or four weeks.
"After that we won five games in a row and I didn't want to make changes during this moment, but I'm absolutely sure we bought the player that we need.
"I am absolutely sure that he will be an important player in our future."
James Milner was City's other scorer and Pellegrini is keen to convince the midfielder, who is out of contract at the end of the season, to sign an extended deal at the Etihad Stadium.
The 29-year-old has attracted interest from Arsenal, Liverpool and several foreign clubs.
"Yes, of course [I want him to stay]," Pellegrini said. "He's a very important player for us. It's a decision that James must take at the end of the season, what is better for his future?
"I always say he is an important player for our team because he plays in different positions and he is an intelligent player.
"He always gives 100 percent. Milner can play in 10 different positions and always do it well."