Carlos Tevez reiterates his desire to stay at Manchester United
November 1, 2008
The future of Carlos Tevez has been the cause for much speculation in recent weeks since the arrival of Dimitar Berbatov at Manchester United with Alex Ferguson favouring Wayne Rooney alongside Berbatov as United’s attacking threat. Speculation has been growing over whether Tevez would secure a permanent deal with the Champions or whether the lack of first team football will force the Argentinian into a move next summer; a claim dismissed by the player himself.
In an interview with the Daily Mail, he said: “This season is proving more complicated than any other and it is difficult for me to get in the team. The competition with Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov is intense.
“This club have the most talented forward line in England and the manager has decided that we cannot all play in the team at the same time. I want to play more and the coach knows this.
“But I have no problem with him. We have spoken. There is no way I would want to leave this club. I insist I am calm.
“I have confidence in the coach and he has in me. In this sport it is necessary to be patient and I will be.”
Tevez has started just one game in United’s last 5 matches, playing the full 90 minutes in the 2 – 0 home victory over West Ham. In the previous 4 games however, Tevez made substitute appearances getting just 101 minutes under his belt. While Tevez may be happy to wait for his chance at the moment, should we be looking at similar statistics come the end of the season, one has to wonder whether the striker will be so calm about his future and whether indeed he will still see his future at old Trafford.
Everything is on course, Tevez will sign. He will wont he?
October 7, 2008
Manchester United have moved to dismiss rumours that there is a hold up in the deal to permanently sign Carlos Tevez. Tevez is currently in his second year at Old Trafford after a controversial 2 year loan deal was agreed in August 2007. The club have made clear it’s intentions to make the deal permanent and the player himself has stated his desire to commit his long term future to the club.
A spokesman for the club today reiterated this stance: “David Gill told the papers in South Africa in July that we would hope to conclude a deal with Carlos before the new year. That is still our aim. The clocks haven’t even gone back yet, so to talk of delays is nonsense. Both the club and Carlos are relaxed about the situation.”
Of course the club are bound to deny any hold up but one can only wonder if there is any truth to these stories. Rumours have been lingering that Tevez is unhappy that the club have not yet made him an offer to extend his stay and with the arrival of Berbatov, is Tevez going to spend most of his time on the sidelines?
Tevez was arguably United’s best player in what was a slow start to the campaign and was rewarded for his efforts by being dropped. It is starting to look like there will be space for either Rooney or Tevez in the starting line up – not both. And with Fergie seemingly unable to drop Rooney (admittedly, his form has improved a lot), will Carlos always be an impact player at Old Trafford?
At 23 years old, Tevez is not going to be happy about that. As much as he states he wants to play for United, he’ll look elsewhere before committing to 4 years on the bench. And another thing, isn’t £30 million a heck of a lot to pay for a substitute?
United’s attacking options: accommodating Berbatov
September 4, 2008
With the signing of Berbatov and Manucho receiving his work permit, Sir Alex Ferguson has finally bagged himself the four strikers he loves to operate with. Ever since the striking quartet of Yorke, Cole, Solskjaer and Sheringham helped bring home the treble in 1999, Ferguson has focussed on bringing the same fire power back to United.
Manucho is a relatively unknown quantity and out of the four strikers, is surely fourth choice. That is not to say the Angolan striker won’t play his part this season; the season is long and injuries will happen (as will the Carling Cup). The pecking order of the top three is a little more difficult to predict and beggars the question, who will be first choice in leading the attack for United?
Dimitar Berbatov will bring a new dimension to the United line-up and he seems a far more suited partner for either Wayne Rooney or Carlos Tevez than they are for each other. Rooney and Tevez’s partnership has never quite hit the heights it could have done even though at times the link up play between the two has been nothing short of magnificent. Both players have a tendency to come deep for the ball and despite a phenomenal work rate, isn’t always in the best interest of the team.
If utilised in a 4-4-2 formation, a strike pairing of Berbatov and Rooney or Tevez looks frightening. Both Rooney and Tevez would have far more to offer playing off a striker with the quality of Berbatov. But that does mean a space on the bench opening up for either Tevez or Rooney and with the way Tevez has started the new campaign, you just cannot drop him. He has been arguably our best player so far this season.
Last season the team played a lot of 4-3-3 (or 4-5-1 depending who you ask). With this formation, Berbatov would suit the central striker’s role but it wouldn’t be guaranteed. The interchangeability of Rooney, Tevez and Ronaldo proved such a success last term that you wouldn’t bet against them teaming up and devastating defences once again. With Berbatov now at his disposal, Ferguson would be able to rest any of the front three or cope with an injury without really batting an eyelid.
Of course Ferguson could opt for a 4-2-3-1 formation accommodating Berbatov in the striker’s role with Tevez or Rooney playing just behind , the other on the left and Ronaldo on the right. United used this formation in the 7-1 win over Roma and from what we saw that night, it worked a treat. Back then, the front four consisted of Smith, Rooney, Ronaldo and Giggs so replacing Smith for Berbatov and Giggs for Tevez will only strengthen the attack.
Whatever Ferguson opts for, the selection process will surely cause him a few headaches over the coming months. The likes of Nani and Anderson will both be looking to establish themselves and improve on impressive debut seasons. Veterans Scholes and Giggs are out for one last hurrah (maybe two). Hargreaves will be hoping he can shrug off his injuries and get a good run in the team and they will all face competition from Carrick, Park, Fletcher and Possebon. All that without even considering the defence!
If Tevez really wants to stay, he should keep it buttoned!
July 24, 2008
Carlos tevez has repeatedly stated his desire to stay at united and secure himself a long term contract. The Argentine International is one year through a complicated two year loan deal at United and one thing he shouldn’t be doing if he wants to stay, is publicly going against the boss.
Alex Ferguson is adamant that Ronaldo will not be sold and that the player must honour his contract. I wonder how Fergie will feel when he picks up the paper to find that Tevez has spoken to sports magazine AS and backed Ronaldo’s move to Spain?
“The team has great players, including Cristiano Ronaldo, of course,” Tevez said.
“It’s clear that he is a very important player for us, but this is a personal decision, which is up to only him.
“I understand Cristiano. Every footballer wants to play at Real Madrid. On the other hand, I also think that everyone wants to play for Manchester United, but if what he seeks is something else, I think that should be respected”.
If history shows us anything, it’s that at Manchester United, the quickest way to end your career is falling out with the gaffer! Perhaps he wants a summer move to Real himself?
Will Manchester United pay £20 million for Carlos Tevez?
July 1, 2008
It’s been reported that in order to make permanent Carlos Tevez’s move to Old Trafford, United would need to cough up around £20 million. With such a hefty price tag, will the transfer ever be completed? I mean, £20 million buys a lot of options.
Tevez is halfway through a two year loan deal at Old Trafford meaning by the end of this season, a decision will be made over his future one way or another. I am not privy to the ins and outs of the contract, but assuming there is no further loan option, the Argentine will need to prove he is worth £20 million if he has any ambitions of staying at United.
Reports suggest Tevez is unhappy at not being offered a permanent deal yet and may look elsewhere if one is not offered by the end of the year. With that in mind, it is imperative he has a good if not great start to the season.
His good form last season will not have gone unnoticed, neither will his crucial goals but this football and as we are told over and over, it is a results game. With it looking increasingly likely that another striker will be joining the ranks, Tevez must prepare for the most important season of his career.
Carlos Tevez versus Oliveira Anderson for the board game title 2008
June 19, 2008
Forget football, this is about Connect 4, Snap, and Jenga. Brazil versus Argentina, Carlos Tevez versus Oliveira Anderson. Who will win?
Did John Terry spit at Carlos Tevez?
May 22, 2008
I would like to think John Terry, former England captain, had the decency to not spit at a fellow player but if you look at the footage, it certainly looks like he might have done. Now, you cannot see the “spit” as such, but you can clearly see Terry motion towards Tevez followed by Tevez rubbing his neck as if he had been spat at.
Terry firmly denies spitting but does admit to getting involved in the handbags that surrounded Didier Drogbas red card. Terry said of the incident, “There was some pushing and shoving, I admit that, but no spitting, that is not my style. No way would I spit at another player.”
The video is far from conclusive, but have a look and make up your own mind. It’s probably best you watch this with your speakers turned off!
