The Fixer
Well-Known Member
Tevez one of world's best - Mancini
Thursday 1st April 2010 17:34
Tevez: In superb form for City
Tevez: In superb form for City
Bet with SkyBet Click here for football betting
Roberto Mancini reckons Carlos Tevez would be hailed as "one of the best players in the world" if Manchester City were in the Champions League.
Tevez scored a hat-trick against Wigan on Tuesday night to take his goal tally for the season to 25.
It is a pretty good return in his debut campaign at City and is one of the major reasons why the Blues are still in contention for a top-four slot.
Yet Tevez's name rarely crops up in debates about the world's top players, with the focus more likely to be on Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney.
Having worked at such close quarters, Mancini believes Tevez is worthy of a place in that bracket. However, he accepts the forward needs to be operating at a higher level than at present.
"Carlos compares with any striker," said Mancini. "But Rooney plays in the Champions League for Manchester United. Messi plays in the Champions League for Barcelona.
"If Carlos was in the Champions League he would be at the same level because he is one of the best players in the world."
Tevez has a chance to do something about that, knowing seven wins to the end of the season will secure a Champions League spot for the Blues for the first time since the competition was revamped in 1992.
Indeed, City only played in the European Cup once, a campaign which ended up with a dismal first round exit at the hands of Fenerbahce in 1968.
Given the success United have enjoyed, at home and abroad, over the years, it is little wonder the appetite for some of the same is so great among the City support.
Yet Mancini does not believe it is wise to feel their world will collapse if fourth spot cannot be claimed.
"Finishing fourth is important because then we would be playing in the Champions League next season, which would be good for the club," he said.
"Then we can improve very quickly.
"But we must not only think like that. We are trying our hardest to finish in fourth position, but it is possible that we don't get there.
"Football would continue, so would Manchester City."
Clearly though, City's chances would be greatly enhanced if Tevez can maintain his present scoring burst, and be partnered by an on-song Emmanuel Adebayor.
The £25million arrival from Arsenal found it difficult going at times against Wigan and Mancini admitted: "Emmanuel has come back after a month and against Wigan it was a bit difficult.
"But if both he and Carlos can score goals in the next few games, we have more chance of getting fourth position."
After his four-match ban, Mancini is hoping Adebayor's outing got rid of some of the rustiness the Togo striker needs to shake off pretty quickly as City try to reach their manager's short-term aim of making the May 5 clash with Tottenham of prime importance.
"We need to arrive in the last week, either already in fourth, or one point behind Tottenham," said Mancini.
"Then it will be a fantastic final week."
Thursday 1st April 2010 17:34
Tevez: In superb form for City
Tevez: In superb form for City
Bet with SkyBet Click here for football betting
Roberto Mancini reckons Carlos Tevez would be hailed as "one of the best players in the world" if Manchester City were in the Champions League.
Tevez scored a hat-trick against Wigan on Tuesday night to take his goal tally for the season to 25.
It is a pretty good return in his debut campaign at City and is one of the major reasons why the Blues are still in contention for a top-four slot.
Yet Tevez's name rarely crops up in debates about the world's top players, with the focus more likely to be on Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney.
Having worked at such close quarters, Mancini believes Tevez is worthy of a place in that bracket. However, he accepts the forward needs to be operating at a higher level than at present.
"Carlos compares with any striker," said Mancini. "But Rooney plays in the Champions League for Manchester United. Messi plays in the Champions League for Barcelona.
"If Carlos was in the Champions League he would be at the same level because he is one of the best players in the world."
Tevez has a chance to do something about that, knowing seven wins to the end of the season will secure a Champions League spot for the Blues for the first time since the competition was revamped in 1992.
Indeed, City only played in the European Cup once, a campaign which ended up with a dismal first round exit at the hands of Fenerbahce in 1968.
Given the success United have enjoyed, at home and abroad, over the years, it is little wonder the appetite for some of the same is so great among the City support.
Yet Mancini does not believe it is wise to feel their world will collapse if fourth spot cannot be claimed.
"Finishing fourth is important because then we would be playing in the Champions League next season, which would be good for the club," he said.
"Then we can improve very quickly.
"But we must not only think like that. We are trying our hardest to finish in fourth position, but it is possible that we don't get there.
"Football would continue, so would Manchester City."
Clearly though, City's chances would be greatly enhanced if Tevez can maintain his present scoring burst, and be partnered by an on-song Emmanuel Adebayor.
The £25million arrival from Arsenal found it difficult going at times against Wigan and Mancini admitted: "Emmanuel has come back after a month and against Wigan it was a bit difficult.
"But if both he and Carlos can score goals in the next few games, we have more chance of getting fourth position."
After his four-match ban, Mancini is hoping Adebayor's outing got rid of some of the rustiness the Togo striker needs to shake off pretty quickly as City try to reach their manager's short-term aim of making the May 5 clash with Tottenham of prime importance.
"We need to arrive in the last week, either already in fourth, or one point behind Tottenham," said Mancini.
"Then it will be a fantastic final week."