Will Tevez leave Manchester City in January?

Manchester City have rejected a written transfer request from star striker Carlos Tevez.

The club have expressed their disappointment at their captain requesting a move elsewhere and also criticised his representatives.

Statement

A statement on City’s official website read: “It is with disappointment that we confirm to our supporters that Carlos Tevez has submitted a written transfer request,” The club can also confirm that the request has been rejected.

“The club remains disappointed by this situation and particularly with the actions of Carlos’ representative. Roberto Mancini and all at the club have shown, and will continue to show, sensitivity to Carlos’ personal circumstances including the issue of his family being based overseas”

Unhappy

The Argentinian striker has been far from happy in England recently. He has stated on a few occasions that he would like to quit English football and go back to his homeland. His family are back in Argentina and apparently he misses them, which is one of the reasons he is unsettled in Manchester.

Mancini

Tevez and City boss Roberto Mancini haven’t enjoyed the best of relationships in recent months. Last weekend Tevez berated his boss for taking him off the pitch in the 89^th minute. City were winning 1-0 against Bolton and were down to ten men, yet the City captain still decided to have a go at his boss for taking him off.

It was show of petulance from a player who should be showing leadership skills as captain. Instead he behaved like a spoilt child. It wasn’t a very example to set to his younger teammates or the fans watching.

That incident wasn’t the first time he has fallen out with the Italian either. There have been numerous occasions when the pair have clashed. Yet he is still in the City first team, the reason being that Carlos Tevez has carried City at times this season.

Goals

Tevez is City’s top goalscorer with ten goals this season. He is the most important player in the City side, although they did win 3-1 at West Ham on Saturday without him. If Tevez is taken out of the team there doesn’t currently seem to be a player capable of being prolific in front of goal.

Controversial youngster Mario Balotelli has the potential to become a top striker but he still isn’t a prolific scorer of goals. Balotelli is also a different type of player to Tevez and will take time to adapt to life in the Premier League.

Rooney

Some cynics are now saying that the whole situation smacks of what happened with Wayne Rooney at Manchester United. I believe Tevez’s situation is different from Rooney’s. According to reports Tevez is looking for a move so he can be closer to his family in Argentina. (According to the press)

Destination

At just 26 years-old he is too young to leave European football and play out the rest of his career in his homeland, it would be a sad waste of talent.

He is a player who would attract the attention of a lot of the top teams in Europe should he become available but moving to another European team would defeat the object of leaving City for alleged personal reasons.

Summer

I can’t see Tevez leaving City in January but I can maybe see him leaving in the summer. Mega-rich City are in the Premier League title race and surely they will want to hang on to one of their top players until the end of the season.

Next summer City could then sell Tevez and find a replacement for the Argentinian for next season. He will be a big loss for his talent and energy but if he doesn’t want to stay at the club then I’m sure that the City fans won’t want him to stay.

And Manchester City aren’t exactly short of funds to replace the Argentinian. I believe it would be in the best interests of everybody if he leaves the club next summer.

Will Carlos Tevez leave Manchester City in January?