ESPN Soccernet - Correspondents - Manchester City- Tevez Isn't Leaving

Posted by Wallace Poulter on 05/03/2010

And it's pretty unlikely that Bellamy and any of the other players signed since the takeover will be leaving any time soon. The reason is simple, their wages. City paid over the odds in transfer fees but also gave significant pay raises to a host of players. As such these players are virtually impossible to move as their wages will upset any wage structure at other clubs.

Or to put it another way, when's the last time you heard a player take a pay cut to move to another team? Exactly.

Meanwhile it's down to City or Spurs for the 4th Champions' League spot. Liverpool fans are loyal to the last but Rafa really is an embarrassment. And to think that a significant number of pundits were tipping Liverpool to win the league this year. It's funny to read reports that say Rafa is looking for a one year golden handshake as part of leaving. The suspected next Juventus boss should pay Liverpool a year's salary for the damage he has done to such a fine old club. Shankly must be rolling in his grave.

The next couple of days will see lots written about how important the Spurs game is for both clubs. Yes and no. If Spurs were to win then yes it's game over but any other result still leaves it down to the last game of the season. Both clubs are away but unfortunately Spurs play Burnley while City travel to Upton Park to face West Ham. Anything other than a win for City against Spurs almost certainly means that Spurs will snag the final spot.

Alas right now, and I've still got 48 hours to change my mind, I see a tense 1-1 draw as the most likely outcome. It would be just so City for the club to draw against Spurs and beat West Ham which would bring the club to the magical figure of 70 points that was targeted only for City to fall one point short of the Champions' League.

I always figured that Spurs would be the rival at the end of the year for final places, I just didn't anticipate the complete collapse of Liverpool and their inability to get close to 4th.

The next manager at Liverpool will be an interesting choice. I can see Mark Hughes getting an opportunity even with his Manchester United connections. Would be interesting to see whether the two clubs would do business at that point. City want Torres, that much is obvious (he's a superb player) and there are a number of Hughes loyalists at City who wouldn't be out of place at Liverpool. Stranger things have happened...

Comments

Posted by Bluemineck on 05/03/2010

Yeah right, thats why Robihno couldnt leave, he started putting in pathetic performances and we had no choice, if some one wants to leave and someone wants em they'll find a way just like santos did

Posted by lex on 05/03/2010

Unfortunately, Ireland has been injured of late, and has had no chance to stake his claim. I hope he chooses to stay and buckle down, because he's got such a good football brain...

I think I commented on Norfstander's blog that Ireland would have helped United beat Chelsea at Old Trafford. United sorely missed that link between midfield and attack, which is where Ireland is best.

Posted by Jon on 05/03/2010

Good read Wallace... I'm nervous about Wednesday like mad, but I have a little bit of hope given the way we've dispatched a couple of our bogey teams this year (namely Fulham and Chelsea). The press and talking heads seems to have it in their heads that 4th place was the target from the outset, but it was 6th from the outset as you well know, and the fact that City hold champions league in their hands with two matches to go is a miracle in its own right.

Also, what would you think about City signing Marek Hamsik from Napoli? I've seen him play 5 or 6 times and I feel like he be a really special player, and City would really be remiss by letting one of the big boys snap him up.

Wallace Reply Hamsik certainly looks the part. As I recall there was talk at the start of March about the young Slovakian signing a new long term contract at Napoli. Doesn't mean he can't sign and I suspect that whether Napoli or Juventus grab the final Europa League spot in Italy (Napoli lead Juve by a point with 2 games to play) will have an impact in such a situation. If City can offer European football that Napoli can't...

Posted by Francisco Silva on 05/03/2010

I think you are right. Tevez is not leaving. the only way out for City's players signed by the new owners is to go to a bigger club if they are interested, like United, Barcelona or Real because they can afford the wages. Tevez is not going back to OT and I don't think the Spanish giants are interested.
As for Torres, I think he is top quality, but I am going to say what most people are afraid to, (maybe because hes is so good that it's hard to say something bad about him) he's injury prone. There, I've said it. Just check his record for games started this season, then compare it to the records of, say, other top quality players like Messi and Ronaldo or Rooney. I think Torres won't last much longer in the EPL. I know some will say that Liverpool overused him last year and that caused his body to struggle this year, but think about it. If you have a player like that, the fans and owners will want him to play all the time but that seems difficult for him. Comments?

Posted by Danial on 05/03/2010

@Francisco Silva

Why do we need more strikers anyway? We already have Tevez, Adebayor & the bench-warming Santa Cruz with a whole bunch of strikers on-loan (which I hope their future will be resolved this summer).

I've been following Mr. Poulter's blog for a while & I'm in total agreement of what we need for this summer: a midfield playmaker (top priority), a centre back (Jerome Boateng?), a full-back (Phillip Lahm?) and possibly an understudy winger for Bellamy.

Posted by g bailey on 05/03/2010

Agree with you about Tevez.

But, not on the Liverpool items. I believe that
injuries, lack of investment by the owners have hugely contributed to their downfall. I think it is a crying shame

Wallace Reply You may be right about Liverpool. It is my belief that Liverpool with Alonso is a top four team and without is where they are now. Even with Torres and his injuries I think Gerrard would have been 50% better if Alonso was in the team and their captain would have carried them...

Posted by Justin on 05/03/2010

Wallace-

It is amazing to speculate the difference that will happen either way with Wednesday and Saturday. Champions league opens up a world of new players to us. Money combined with competition brings in a whole new world, and i could see us unloading players while paying some of their wages just to make room...someone like Bellers (who i love) will go somewhere else and play for likes of Villa and be paid partially by City. All of this just to bring in the crazy talk of people like Cesc or Torres. Money will be splashed this summer, but to what degree will be interesting and based completely on the remaining two games. City for 6 points!!!! Champions League and pride....i'm beyond happy with our play this year. (p.s.- the dropped points at Arsenal a week ago cost us 3rd!!!!)

Posted by Theone on 05/03/2010

Weds days game is the-1 belive me city are going 2 run rings round sputs. spurs dont come next 2 city, city will be on fire its going 2 be 4-1 to city homegame!!!

Posted by Tripp Maxwell on 05/04/2010

Good article. If you want to talk about being "so City", the way I see it, they beat Spurs and lose to West Ham. That would be typical. The last match I saw(in person) was the 2-1 League Cup Final of 76. I never would have thought we would be trophyless since.

Posted by Mark Stanley on 05/04/2010

Cant see Tevez leaving, I like the idea of Di Maria coming in as well as Luiz. We need to strengthen the back 4.

We still have plenty of fringe strikers on the books, Benjani, Caicedo, i'd even put Santa Cruz in that group. I want to see Bojinov play a full season in City Blue.

The other thing that frustrates the heck out of me is all the haters out there who go on about fat wallets and cheque books.... we have one of THE BEST Acadamies in the Prem. We DO grow our own talent as well.

Posted by Aki on 05/04/2010

I'm a diehard spurs fan And as much grief as I'm going to get for this, I have to say it: Wednesday's clash will probably go our way, City are a fine club, and look poised to grow into one of the top european clubs alongside the likes of ManURE, Chelski, Milan, Inter. I can't namedrop City alongside the Spanish giants yet... one day perhaps. The reason it will go Tottenham's way is simple: Tottenham are a team. We have a core of players that have been through hell together (Lasagna-Gate, CC 2008, 9, being last with 2 points when Redknapp took over) and we have been on the brink of CL before. City just seem a mish-mash of talent, haven't found the right mix, or right manager (NOT Mancini IMO). Also, as in the 3-0 match at the Lane. Our wing play is too strong. IMO City need a wing back. Lennon is back and Bale is on form, City are a fine club, but Toure and Bridge will be in tears after 90 min. Good Luck, CL will happen for you, just not this year

Had to read this ahead of wednesday:)

Wallace Reply Have to say that it is not an unreasonable argument. I've been going on all year about how City are not yet a team but a combination of talents that have only been together for 15 months, or less. The Spurs team previous experience is a significant advantage. I still feel a draw is the most likely outcome.

Posted by Francisco Silva on 05/04/2010

One thing that nobody seems to mention is that the 4th place goes into the CL early rounds, and according to the current Platini rules, the draw will most likely bring a decent team from a top league to the table. I remember Everton clinching 4th in 2005 and having to play against a spanish side only to crash out of the competition. So, I think, If City actually claims 4th, the cash giveaway will start very soon in order to assemble a team capable of overcoming any team. Right now it looks like it could be Lyon, Sampdoria, Werder Bremen or Sevilla. Not any of them an easy task by any means. I hope City or Tottenham can overcome this hurdle because it will be a shame to break the traditionl top 4 only to be left out.

Posted by Domekinho on 05/04/2010

We have great play on the wings now with Adam Johnson and Bellamy although an understudy to Bellamy could be an option. A playmaker in the middle of the park to compliment Barry is our real need. That plus a defender and another striker. Tevez with Ade is ok, Tevez paired with a top striker like a Torres is magical. Either way, most important now is Tomorrow's fixture. Give me Ronaldinho as my playmaker and the kid from Fiorentina

Posted by Neil in California.... on 05/05/2010

Hey Wallace.We're 3 hrs from kick-off...I'd like a prediction. I know Spurs are/was our Bogey Team but I got up this morning & thought No ' this one is going to be easier than we think 5-2 City....Tevez Hatrick...... Based on home form & our strike force....

Cheers.

Wallace Reply This is after the game but I never moved from my draw prediction. That seemed the most likely outcome.

Posted by Kofi O on 05/17/2010

I'll definitely welcome an idea of Tevez leaving Manchester City and will not regret even a little bit because of his "rivalry"/selfishness that cost the team a lot of goals and games during the just completed season. I feel like it's upsurd for him to be a team-divider, instead of a team-player. I saw some games that Adebayor was widely open but Tevez never passed the ball to him for a clean score. The manager should pick up his role as a leader and resolve whatever rivalry exists between one of the finest striking duo in PL soccer or most of us will be more than excited if he leaves the team for a better "Team-Player" to take his spot. Don't know if the same behavior cut his west Ham & Manchester United life short.

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