Lipton at Lunchtime: Why Tevez now faces a choice between immortality... or money

By Martin Lipton in

Published 11:08 18/05/11

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So, do you believe him?

It depends, I guess, on whether you are normally someone who takes what footballers say at face value or not.

But if we are to trust Roberto Mancini's recollection of his latest chat with Carlos Tevez about the Argentine's future, then it could indeed bode more than well for Manchester City.

Tevez's double against Stoke - and the Premier League dubious goals panel's decision to take one off Dimitar Berbatov's tally - took the City skipper to joint-top of the scoring charts and in prime position to claim the Golden Boot this weekend.

Not too bad for a player Manchester United were prepared to let go two years ago because, for all his effort and industry, Sir Alex Ferguson and the Old Trafford money men felt did not score enough to justify his financial demands.

Throughout his two seasons at Eastlands, Tevez has disproved that notion, adding a genuine eye for the target to his undoubted on-field work ethic.

Of course, there have been problems, plenty of them.

There was last season's unsanctioned and extended absence back in South America following the birth of his seriously-ill child - although every parent in the land will have had huge sympathy for his response to an awful situation.

This time round, it has been more about the noises-off, the hints from "sources close to Tevez" - which normally means his representative, Kia Jioorabchian - that he does not feel loved/doesn't like the cold winters/has been targeted by Real Madrid or Barcelona or Chelsea.

None of it has affected Tevez's performances adversely and his ruck with Mancini over his fitness to play in the FA Cup Final did not seem like an artificially-created dispute designed to manufacture an exit route, more the view of a player who genuinely felt he was fit enough to play and do himself justice.

The evidence of Wembley, and of Eastlands last night, suggests Tevez was right, too, although he himself fuelled the speculation at the weekend when admitting: "There is an issue we need to sort out and that's the long distance between me and my family."

Sheikh Mansour and the Abu Dhabi money men might have the funds to buy the planet five times over, but even they cannot move Buenos Aires any closer to Manchester.

Although, as it must have been pointed out, Lancashire is - just - closer to South America than either Madrid or Milan are. And the flight times are no different.

The problem is more that people appear to be bending Tevez' ear with their own wish-fulfillment.

In simple terms, if the player moves, other people get their slice of the deal. Hence, we are told, by those self-same people, that he wants to move.

Mancini's latest comments are designed to put the onus and obligation on the player.

In effect, the City boss has dared his captain to come out and deny his claims. It is, in simple terms, put up - or shut up.

The City fans, understandably, would prefer it to be the latter and the attainment of Champions League football must be an additional motivating factor.

While there will be a "finessing" of the City squad over the summer - according to Brian Marwood - the last thing they need is to lose their on-field Pied Piper.

Tevez may, at times, be a monumental pain in the backside but his ability - and goal sense - is now beyond any question and it is essential for the good of the "Project" that he stays at Eastlands.

That is not a given, despite Mancini's latest words.

Indeed, do not be surprised if we hear about renewed links with Europe's biggest clubs over the coming days and weeks.

To be fair, that is the game. You don't have to like it - and I don't - but you do have to recognise that reality.

Tevez and his advisors will look to shake the money tree and see what falls off. It is all part of the cut and thrust of negotiations.

But, in truth, it is hard to see how Tevez would really benefit from leaving City now, when the club is at the point of take-off.

Would he get in the Barcelona side? No.

Play up top for Real? Maybe, maybe not.

Go to Chelsea and try to make Fernando Torres look good? Not sure about that.

Stay at City, though, make all those long-cherished dreams come true and be a hero and legend for the rest of your life - as well as getting right up the nose of every United fan.

Sometimes, it does not have to be about money. It can be about something more intangible.

And it can change the way a player is viewed for generations to come.

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