The Etihad’s prodigal son has finally come to his senses. After months of brawling, bickering and back-stabbing, Carlos Tevez has issued an unreserved apology for his ridiculously childish behaviour over the last five months and is ready to put on a Manchester City shirt again and help guide them to their first league title in 44 years.
Tevez’s apology, and Mancini’s acceptance of said apology, has surely put an end to one of the most ludicrous, soap-opera inspired stories in recent seasons. Without a doubt, it has put a huge dampener on what has otherwise been a magnificent season so far for Mancini’s team.
But it’s fair to say that the club has got on just fine so far without Tevez in their squad. They are currently two points of clear of their arch rivals in the title race, they have a squad overflowing with world-class players and this squad has produced some awesome performances throughout the season. Lest we forget the thrashing that they gave to Manchester United at Old Trafford back in October. But the Tevez saga has certainly been an unwanted distraction off the pitch. After all, the club have enough to deal with in Mario Balotelli! But thankfully, the players have not let this affect them on the pitch.
Up until December 12th, when City lost their first league game of the season, it seemed as though nothing could stop them in their quest for the title. However since that game, a 2-1 defeat to Chelsea, they have lost league games at Sunderland and Everton and have also been dumped out of the FA and League Cups. Their once commanding lead at the top of the table has been compromised and the title race is now looking like it could go right to the wire.
We all know that once Manchester United get going in their push for the title, there really is no stopping them. So Manchester City could really do with a boost to keep their arch rivals at arm’s length. Could Carlos Tevez be that boost?
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Few people would argue that Tevez has behaved appallingly since that ill-fated evening in Munich back in September. He has shown a complete lack of respect to his manager, to his club, to the fans and ultimately to himself. Thanks to this saga, he has played no football all season and has lost nearly £10 million in salaries, fines and lost bonus payments. His reputation has been completely destroyed. No club in the world were willing to sign him during the January transfer window, and it’s hardly surprising given his behaviour and lack of football. Ultimately, for the sake of his career and his reputation, Tevez had absolutely no choice but to apologise.
Now that he has apologised unreservedly and accepted responsibility for his actions, Mancini is prepared to welcome him back to the first team, albeit very gradually. But of all the players that you could bring back to your squad, you could do a lot worse than Carlos Tevez.
Like him or not, he is still a world-class striker. He has the ability to turn a game on its head, can score from anywhere and was highly influential last season in helping City win the FA Cup and guiding them to the 3rd place in the league, their highest league position in decades. Once he has completed a few training sessions, got a few matches under his belt and earned the respect of everyone associated with the club, there could be no stopping him.
As far as the club is concerned, this is a win-win situation. Not only have they received the apology they were expecting from Tevez, but the club have also earned themselves another world-class striker without having to pay anything extra. Essentially, and out of nowhere, their squad has just got a little bit better. They now have more fire-power up front and this could easily be the boost that they need to help them win the league.
Tevez however has some fierce competition to deal with if he is to claw his way back to the starting XI. After all, he will have three other world-class strikers to compete with in Sergio Aguero, Mario Balotelli and Edin Džeko.
It will not be easy by any means, but if he can claw his way back in, perform like we all know he is capable of doing and play his part in helping City win the title, all will surely be forgiven.
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