Former Manchester City captain Carlos Tevez bagged the most important assist of his illustrious footballing career on Wednesday night at the Etihad Stadium, setting up Samir Nasri for the match-winner against a stingy Chelsea defence.
City supporters and management will surely be hoping that Tevez’s vital cameo appearance will lead to more production in the form of goals and assists from the Argentine.
Former City manager Joe Royle backed Roberto Mancini’s decision to bring back Carlos Tevez, insisting that the ex-Manchester United talisman could help City win their first Premier League title.
“I must admit that initially he was more than a little hasty to say that he would never play again but I have to say that since then I do not think that Mancini or City as a whole have put a foot wrong,” Royle told Goal.com.
I wonder if Royle would have said something on the contrary if Tevez failed to play a role in the equaliser or if Manchester City went on lose the game.
Although Tevez’s contribution helped City secure three points, I still believe that he should have been sold by the club. Why?
Not only did he refuse to enter the game, but Mancini said his City career was finished.
The fact that Mancini played him on Wednesday shows just how much his word really means, not much at all.
“He brings fantastic energy to the team when he is up front, even when he is not on the ball but when he is in possession he brings plenty of quality to the side,” Royle continued.
“He has a tremendous record when he is playing. He is a big, big asset and could make all the difference between now and the end of the season.”
Again, it’s easy to hail Tevez after the fact. If Mancini, or Royle, would have praised the Argentine prior to the Chelsea clash, I might have bought into their assertions.
However, I’m not completely sold on what the Argentine can provide for City in the title race.
That being said, his super sub cameo reminded me of his days with Manchester United, when he predominantly played as the substitute striker.
Since he did shine in that role at United I wouldn’t be surprised if he does the same at Manchester City.
But all things considered, I fancy United to get the better of their “noisy neighbours” in the title race. Advantage Red Devils.
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