Tevez keen to stay at City

Carlos Tevez has revealed he feels happy at Manchester City again and is delighted with his relationship with manager Roberto Mancini.

The Argentine returned to the club in February after an absence of six months following a falling out with the City boss when he refused to play in the club’s UEFA Champions League match against Bayern Munich.

After apologising, Tevez forced his way back into the starting line-up and has been in outstanding form since, helping to re-launch the club’s title bid with four goals in seven games.

“I’ve felt great since I came back in February, very relaxed and content and just pleased to be back playing football for Manchester City again,” Tevez told the Manchester Evening News.

“My relationship with the manager is totally fine, he’s been as good as gold with me and there have been absolutely no problems. He wants to win games and be successful and if I can play a part in helping to do that, then that’s what I will work hard to do.

“Yes, there’s been a lot said and written this season but that’s in the past. Everybody at the club shares the same goal, Roberto, me, the other players and all the staff. I’m an ambitious person, I want to work hard and win things with City. That’s all that matters to me as a player and a person.

“This club has been building something special for the past few years. It was the project and the dream that made me come to City in the first place.

“I’ve been here since the start of that project and I share the same vision as Sheikh Mansour.

“He has always been brilliant with me and I want to repay his faith and stay here as long as it takes to make the project a success.”

Tevez has been much maligned for his antics during his spell away from the club, but he revealed he is not bothered by that and prefers to answer his critics on the pitch.

“I prefer to do my talking on the field,” he said.

“It’s easy to speak off the field, but my message to the fans will be through doing my very, very best for the shirt at this important part of the season, and trying to make sure we go on to win the title.

“I’ve joked with people that if I DID score the winner tonight then perhaps some City fans will stop throwing my shirt away!”

The 28-year-old has also defended team-mate Mario Balotelli after the striker came under fire for his sending off against Arsenal.

Tevez feels the 21-year-old’s all-round game, including discipline, will improve as he matures as a player and a person.

“Mario is young and has everything you need to be a great, great player. I do talk to him and give him bits of advice here and there on what to do and what not to do – when you are young like Mario you do need to be told what to do,” Tevez said.

“He does get things wrong from time to time, but that will stop as he gets older. But he does have what it takes, and if he takes advice and continues on a good path he will be a great player.”