Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini revealed after Wednesday’s 4-0 Europa League win over FC Porto that the ousted Carlos Tevez would soon be back playing following his apology earlier this week.
The Sky Blues may have coasted to victory over the reigning Europa League champions in their Round of 32 tie, but the club’s main focus, the Premier League, isn’t on steady ground. Their domestic form in recent weeks has been shaky and Manchester United are coming.
And in many ways, Tevez’s return, is with that in mind. You cannot blame Mancini or City for that.
However, look back to September when Tevez refused to warm up in the Champions League game against Bayern Munich which initiated his prolonged stint on the sidelines. Mancini said Tevez would “never” play for him again.
Mancini said: “This can’t happen in a top club – to refuse to go in to help his team-mates…. But if we want to improve as team Carlos can’t play with us. If I have my way he will be out. With me, he is finished.”
Okay, yes, that was an emotional response to an emotional evening, and there’s a lot of water which has now gone under the bridge.
Tevez’s apology earlier in the week, showed that Mancini and the Argentine were beginning to see eye to eye again. It has taken a long time, but it has happened and curiously at the right time for City who had keeper Joe Hart to thank as they scraped past Aston Villa 1-0 in their last EPL match.
After the Porto win, Mancini said: “He has apologised. I don’t have any problem. Tomorrow, I will meet him before training, after that, he can start to work with us.
“I think he maybe needs two or three weeks to find form; after this he will be OK. He can play, like the other players.”
For a team who suffered three defeats in five matches over the Christmas period, adding some squad depth and quality is a major boost.
Mancini continued: “Carlos knows the team very well but the team, in the last six or seven months, has played very well. They are top of the Premier League.
“We know Carlos well, he’s a top striker so it would be good to have him back, I think he can help us and do a good job in the next two months.
“I think it is important if we have Carlos, Mario (Balotelli), Edin (Dzeko) and Sergio (Aguero) so it would be good for the team.”
With Manchester United two points behind them, the Sky Blues are looking over their shoulders. But you cannot blame them.
Mancini added: “Having four strikers for the Premier League would be good.” He could be the x-factor they need.