Vieira hails Tevez influence on City

Patrick Vieira insists Manchester City would not be where they are today without wantaway striker Carlos Tevez.

The retired midfielder, now City’s football development executive, admitted that while it is tough to talk about the Argentine’s situation following his antics during the Champions League clash with Bayern Munich, his contribution to the club’s rise cannot be forgotten.

“I think it’s really difficult to talk about the Carlos Tevez situation because the inquiry is going on and it’s not really good to get involved,” Vieira told World Football Daily.

“But of course, the club is where it’s at at the moment because I think Carlos Tevez really contributed to that situation. Last year, Carlos scored goals for the club when it’s been fantastic for the football club.”

Tevez scored 20 league goals for Roberto Mancini’s side last season, helping to secure their first Champions League berth as the club finished third in the table.

Without Tevez, City currently sit five points clear on top of the Premier League table. Vieira credits this to the squad’s strength in depth, proving that the club’s attack is not solely reliant on the former Manchester United man anymore.

“The players have responded really well,” Vieira continued. “Everybody is currently focused on their jobs and all credit to the players because they’ve been working hard, like I’ve said, and up front, players like Edin [Dzeko], [Sergio] Aguero, Mario [Balotelli] are scoring goals and it’s really good for us.”

Vieira also hit out at FIFA president Sepp Blatter, who claimed in a CNN interview that racism does not exist in the sport.

Vieira believes that those comments are off the mark.

“I think there is racism in football. I think there is racism when you go to play some games around the world,” Vieira said.

“Saying that racism does not exist in football, I am not really agreeing with Mr Blatter. There is racism, that we have to fight against, and we have to do everything we can to fight against it.”