Who knows where Carlos Tevez will be at the beginning of next season. He’s just one enigma, who is part of the three billion dollar transfer market, in which he himself commands at least £25m and a capital intensive salary of £600,000 a month. But, for what it’s worth, or more specifically what he is, the Argentine has nine games to make a belated impact on Manchester City’s title-chasing season.
His return last night, if a sign of things to come, was very much “Welcome back to Manchester,” as the diminutive striker saw his side reverse a 1-0 deficit to a resurgent Chelsea, following his introduction. Within twelve minutes of his involvement, two fellow South Americans had levelled things for the hosts, who before Wednesday night had only conceded a goal a home every 2 games and 30 minutes; firstly Uruguayan Pablo Zabaleta earned The Citizens a penalty, then Argentinian striker Sergio Aguero converted it to Petr Cech’s bottom right. With just over five minutes to go, Tevez made his mark, playing a deft one two with the superb on the night Samir Nasri, whose nifty footwork worked space for an acute finish over an oncoming Cech.
Before the game, rumours were circulating, unfounded in truth but rooted in the opinion of ex-City player Rodney Marsh, that if Carlos Tevez featured again this season, it would force Roberto Mancini under the wrath of the club’s owners. Although his reintroduction does have the ability to rock the ship, it isn’t exactly stable at current, with United riding the crest of a wave that sees them unbeaten in nine, winning eight, thus leapfrogging them into the top spot. The Argentine grabbing an oar and getting back on board, might just provide the extra man power to get the Sky Blues across the finishing line ahead of the Red Devils.
Manchester City’s run of form is barely disastrous by any standard: in the past ten games, they have, like United, won eight; however, at times they have seemed vulnerable and where City failed to pick up a point in either of the games they didn’t win, United picked up one. At this stage in the title race, that one point is title defining.
“So why bring Carlos Tevez back?” one might hasten to ask. Well, firstly there is the case of Sergio Aguero and his inability to perform away from home to the same extent as he does at The Etihad: when in the light blue strip, Aguero has netted 13 times – 76% of his goals, compared to just four on the road, despite averaging just as many minutes per game. The reason for his poorer form away from home can be put down to three defining factors that form a troika of issues for the Argentine.