Firstly, City are forced to take 50% of their shots from outside the box away from home, compared to 25% at home and this simply does not suit the poaching style of Aguero. Secondly, mainly due to the first issue, the Argentine has half as many shots on the road, attributed to his less potent striking rate from afar. Lastly, the player likes to attack from the left and at home so do his team; however, away from home, City’s focus changes from a 43% concentration of attacks down the left flank, to just 30% with the right side becoming saturated at 40%.
Then, there is the increasing frequency of Mario Balotelli to diminish to anonymity and become a passenger in the City side as of late. When Alan Hansen suggested back in October that Mancini shouldn’t play the Italian, “when it comes to the crunch,” The Guardian deplored the former Liverpool defender and current Match of the Day pundit, satirically questioning when exactly is City at the crunch. Now, with nine games left, Alan Hansen has reiterated his point, five months later by stating that he wouldn’t start Mario Balotelli again this season. But this time, instead of condemning the expert, The Guardian concurred, posing the question: “Is Balotelli most under threat from Tevez?
Of course, there is still Edin Dzeko and his 13 goals in 22 games in the Premier League this season is worthy of a place at the same table as Mario Balotelli’s 15 goals in 29 City appearances and Sergio Aguero’s 24 in 41: however, the Bosnian is a target man, Balotelli is a creator and Aguero is a poacher. In Carlos Tevez, there rests the complete forward.
Four world class strikers is a conundrum many managers would relish and for Roberto Mancini it has come at the right time: “In 10 days or two weeks Carlos will be fitter and in better form and it will be important for us.” In two weeks, Manchester City face an inspired Arsenal side and if Tevez can start that game at “100%,” like Mancini suggested, then he’ll be in with a chance of regaining perfect form for the Manchester derby and potential title deciding clash against United three weeks after that.
Before the boisterous clash with Chelsea Wednesday night, the Italian boss made his intentions and targets for the remaining games clear: “Tonight we continue our battle to be Premier League champions. There are ten games to go and if we win them all then we finish as number one. That is, of course, easier to say than it is to achieve but when people ask me if we can do it I say, ‘Why not?'”
With nine games left, having beaten The Blues 2-1, Mancini can continue to ask “Why not?” The return of Carlos Tevez, five months after his nonappearance in Munich, coincides with Manchester City’s fight to reestablish themselves at the top, a position they have held for seven months of the Premier League campaign. If his presence and, more vitally, his goals help Mancini’s side achieve their task, Carlos Tevez can be rest assured he is truly “Welcome to Manchester,” just the blue side mind, whenever he wants.
Written by Jordan Florit for www.maycauseoffence.com/ For more articles visit my website or my Twitter @JordanFlorit
Introducing the neat little app that’ll pay you to view content tailored to your interests:
ThisisFutbol.com are seeking new writers to join the team! If you’re passionate about football, drop us a line at “thisisfutbol.com@snack-media.com” to learn more.