Related News
-
Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini signs new contract - 09/07/12 -
Manchester City\'s Carlos Tevez banned from driving - 03/04/13 -
Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini admits Robin van Persie interest - 03/06/12 -
Manchester United ace Rooney in Anzhi’s sights admits Brazilian star Carlos - 25/10/12 -
Manchester City 2 Chelsea 0 - Match Report - 24/02/13
Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has admitted his team stand a better chance at winning the Premier League since Carlos Tevez returned to the squad.
Tevez did not feature for City for six months after refusing to warm up in a Champions League defeat to Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena in September.
The striker made his return for the City against Chelsea in March and and claimed an assist after setting up Samir Nasri for the winning goal in a 2-1 win.
He has since scored four goals in his last three games to help keep the Blues’ title challenge on course, and the Italian has admitted Tevez’s return has been important.
‘It's clear that with him we would have had a better chance (to win the Premier League),’ said Mancini.
‘He's a player of great quality, one of the best strikers in the world, and we thought he could help us. I have had a good attitude with him like with everyone else. It's not us who wanted him to go to Argentina in November.’
The January transfer window saw intense speculation about the Argentina international’s future, with moves to AC Milan, Inter, Paris St Germain and Corinthians all failing to come to fruition, but Mancini stated he had no problem welcoming Tevez back into the first team.
‘I always had a good rapport with him. I didn't have a problem to forgive him.
‘The board have never imposed anything on me. To play Tevez again was a logical choice because he didn't leave in the January transfer window.’
The City boss also admitted a twinge of regret at the events that led to Tevez’s forced absence from the City squad.
‘I was very sorry with that situation. I found it strange. I don't know why all this happened.’
