Two wins in three, three in four if you count the Community Shield, Manchester City have made a decent start to their first ever Premier League title defence. With this early season form in mind, it would be easy to forget that City have carried a relatively off colour David Silva as well as being without the goal scoring prowess of Sergio Agüero and Mario Balotelli. The reason these absences haven’t really been felt? That would be Mr Carlos Tévez.
Tévez has scored in all 3 league games for City this season as well as the Community Shield, but his significant contribution starts far before August of this year. Cast your minds back to City’s defeat away at Arsenal in April of last season...
It was after this game that the title seemed decided. City’s millions were once again unable to overhaul the might of Manchester United. It was at this point that Tévez began to assert himself. Three weeks after returning to first team action he was match fit and ready to play a role in deciding where the Premier League title was heading.
At one point last season Tévez’s re-emergence into the City starting XI was unimaginable. Tévez was banished, for lack of a better word, for his apparent refusal to come on as a substitute in a Champions League game away in Bayern Munich. His love affair with City had come to a very bitter and very public end.
Tévez had tired of life in Manchester. He was ready to leave to go home to Argentina. His family were there, Manchester was of no interest to him anymore. Although it seemed that a move to Spain or Italy would suffice. For now, he just wanted out. But as much as Carlos was willing to leave Manchester, he was every bit as unwilling to leave quietly.
Newspapers and other media outlets the world over jumped on Argentinian striker as his relationship with City soured, and he was all too willing to provide a sound bite. Most notably, whilst on a talk show in his native Argentina, Tévez had stated that he had been treated ‘like a dog’ by Roberto Mancini. The striker was heavily fined by City during this time and was told in no uncertain circumstances to stay away from the club.
In exile for a huge chunk of last season, it seemed apparent that this suited both parties. Tévez wanted out, Roberto Mancini wanted rid. Bridges were burnt, there was no way back. But time, it seems, can heel all wounds. By the end of February Tévez had unreservedly apologised to the club and it's fans and was no longer appealing against the fine placed on him by City. Roberto Mancini was willing to draw a line under the matter and declared that he was once again available for selection.
Tévez made his return to first team football in a home league game against Chelsea, a game City won 2-1. Playing for the last 25 mins, he inevitably got the assist for Samir Nasri’s winner.
Once back to match fitness, Tévez started to make the kind of positive impact that most remembered he was capable of. He scored in the 4-0 win over West Brom and managed 3 in the 6-1 win away at Norwich City. He also played a key role in City’s title deciding 3-2 win at home to QPR. The club, the fans, and even the manager had all forgiven Tévez and with his performances on the pitch it was easy to see why.
His importance to Man City’s Premier League triumph last season is such that it shouldn’t surprise us that, having declared he is now settled in Manchester, Carlos Tévez has continued in that vein this season. Man City haven’t set the world alight with their performances this season. They drew with Liverpool (this is currently the only point Liverpool have picked up this season) after a couple of defensive howlers from the Anfield club, and laboured towards home wins against Southampton and QPR.
But, largely thanks to Tévez, they have done what true champions always seem to do. They have underperformed but managed to win anyway.
A lot of attention goes to Sergio Agüero, David Silva, Joe Hart, Mario Balotelli, Yaya Touré and others. But it would be foolish for us to forget what an impact Carlos Tévez can have on this team. An inspirational figure and a truly talented footballer, his importance can’t be quantified in monetary terms. City were almost the best team to ever finish runners up in the league last season, Tévez helped get them over the line.
Now, with him firmly in the City camp, the Citizens have scored 11 in 4 without firing on all cylinders. Who knows what a force they will be when they find their feet this season? Fantasy Football fans especially, look for Carlos Tévez to play a big part in City’s title push.