Carlos Tevez In A Dressing Room With Ibrahimovic, Cassano And Robinho: Are Milan Serious About It?

By Parth Pandya
12 years Ago

The prodigious youngster that Carlos Tevez was, he garnered a big enough share of the limelight when the then Argentina national team coach Jose Pekerman threw him in the middle of things against the hosts Germany in a World Cup Quarter Final, ahead of the more proven and entrenched striker Javier Saviola. The game did not end on a positive note for Argentina as Germany held their nerves better during the penalty shoot-out. Pekermanai??i??s team selection invited instant criticism but more than the inclusion of Tevez, it was the exclusion of a certain Lionel Messi that bothered media the world around.

In the wake of the uproar that was caused by the absence of the Barcelona starlet, the presence of Tevez went fairly unnoticed and few regarded his promise and grit that was on show during the limited opportunities that came his way during the World Cup. Only a couple of months later, Tevez would land on the British shores to unravel his footballing prowess for the world to see and things would take a drastic turn for the Argentine forever.

Five years in England, having represented three clubs ai??i?? two of which make for a rivalry to die for ai??i?? Carlos Tevez is a household name all over Europe and has done everything to justify his place as one of the highest rated players in the world today. Having played in multiple roles at different clubs, Tevez boasts of versatility and can cast his game according to the demands of the situation. His pace, dribbling, ball control, shooting prowess and above all his work rate cement his reputation as the player every club in Europe would covet having in their ranks.

Statistical reports speak very high of him as a player ai??i?? One with the ability to find the net at will and at the same time a workhorse of the highest degree. In terms of talent, hard-work and perseverance to excel, Tevez is one of the most lucrative packages on offer in world football today, if not the most.

However, Argentinaai??i??s demolition man has of late been making news for antics a footballer would prefer staying farthest from. The move to Manchester City did not go down too well with his former employers. The supporters of Manchester United ai??i?? a large fraction of who were categorically insistent on extending his contract ai??i?? felt betrayed but the blue half of the city relished at belittling their rival sentiments and demonstrated unconditional love and support for Tevez. In a seasonai??i??s time, he was instantly rewarded for his impressive showing at the club and was honoured with the armband; rightfully so.

In the very next season, Tevez carried on the dream run, scored crucial goals for City and helped them win a prestigious FA Cup trophy, denying city rivals Manchester United en route. The entire team was built around Tevez; undoubtedly he was the most inspirational player in the squad and justified every bit of his position as the club captain.

You’d be understandably shocked at his recent conduct during the teamai??i??s visit to Allianz Arena, which was highly unprofessional, especially for a player who has been in the thick of things for a considerably long period. Granted, Tevez was no longer the ace in the pack for Manchester City with the arrival of compatriot Kun Aguero and the emergence of Edin Dzeko and Mario Balotelli but insane behaviour of this measure was certainly going to warrant an instant reprimand, which is what exactly happened. If the adamant head coach Roberto Mancini has the final say, Tevez will not feature in the Manchester City shirt for another competitive match and will in all likelihood be sold to the best bidder, come winter.

Italian champions AC Milan have emerged as one potential destination for the rebellious forward and given Adriano Gallianiai??i??s recent tendency to offer the mutineers a refuge at San Siro, this move cannot be ruled out at all. It has been a week since Milan entered the negotiations and in acknowledgement to the interest extended by the Lombardian club, the agent of the player immediately held a meeting with the club officials in Italy. Galliani is famous for his shrewd bargains and has successfully landed insubordinates at various clubs in last one year time or so.

Zlatan Ibrahimovicai??i??s blemished relations at Camp Nou are no secret whereas the number of fallouts Antonio Cassano has had in his career equals the number of clubs he has represented. Robinho and Kevin Prince-Boateng too do not exactly make for a cordial environment but to the credit of Allegri, he has so far been able to successfully handle what is arguably the most egotistical dressing room in Italy. One possible counter-argument is all the three big heads were not sailing in the purple patch of their respective careers and had little choice but to put up with each other. So far, the Milanese unit has excelled and all the mutinous characters have been vital components of this machine.

That, the general levels of performances have not dipped despite a large chunk of mercurial individuals in the squad, is reason enough to add another one with similar traits, is fairly debatable at this stage, especially when there is no dire necessity to add another striker to the roster. Moreover, Manchester City have made it more than clear that Tevez, despite all the urgency at the clubai??i??s end to banish him, shall not be available below the market value whatsoever. Given the limitless financial capacities of the club, they may even afford to keep paying his skyrocketing wages till the right offer comes. And last but not the least; Tevez is not available for any European action for the remainder of the season as he did enjoy some playing time against Napoli earlier this year in a group stage clash.

A transfer fee of close to 25 Million Euros for an unpredictable character with mood-swings of Kurt Cobainai??i??s level does not really sound wise when the club requires more reinforcements in the other areas on the pitch. The current squad is potent enough to replicate last seasonai??i??s domestic success and the winter additions should precisely focus on revitalizing the squad with additional dimensions and adding vibrancy to the team on the European front. Sadly, Tevez does not fit this bill presently and is too expensive a player to sign when cup-tied. Maxi Lopez is the kind you want add in your squad as a provisional player, but most certainly not Carlos Tevez.

Juventus have not been the shrewdest in transfer market under Beppe Marotta but have wasted no time in ridiculing all the news of linking them with the malcontent forward. It is important to note that Marotta had promised fans to add world class players to the squad, which he failed by any measure despite spending large sums of cash and even he has not jumped at the expedient opportunity to sign Tevez – even at a discounted price. Juventusai??i?? sorry state of striking force needs no documentation after reading the names of Vincenzo Iaquinta and Amauri on their squad sheets but the club from Turin still do not find it reason enough to rush into signing an out-of-favor Tevez. The decision not to sign him surprises one even more when the player being cuptied could not have mattered any less for the club at this point. This only strengthens the argument that advocates against signing players with potential of contaminating the team environment.

The only consistent feature of the Argentineai??i??s career ai??i?? something worthy of a psychology majors thesis ai??i?? is that he has never failed to enchant his club’s fans for the first two seasons no matter where he’s played, before inexplicably beginning to feel disconsolate, crestfallen and home-sick. Surreal talent usually breeds rebellion but in the case of Tevez, the confluence of these two inseparable traits is perhaps too disproportionate for anybodyai??i??s liking.

There remains a completely other angle to looking at it that suggests there could not be a better opportunity to sign a player of Tevezai??i??s stature as the bigger clubs in Europe who could any day outbid Milan in a quest to sign a big player are not showing any interest. Thereai??i??s no denying that at his best, Tevez promises to bludgeon any defense in Europe and is a player clubs would kill for. The fact that Ibrahimovic and Cassano shall soon be well past their peak in another two years only makes sense to strengthen the attack well in advance.

Moreover, Milan forwards are not really known to be the fittest ones on planet and should a prolonged spell of injury or a dip in form hit either Ibrahimovic or Pato, Milan suddenly appear thin on the attack with Cassano showing no signs of making a comeback before the conclusion of the on-going season.

That leaves Galliani perhaps with one of the hardest decisions he will have to take in recent memory and the odds are he will be damned if he does and damned even more if he doesnai??i??t. The wily old man has faced difficult situations before and has so far not disappointed the fans. Whether he makes a swoop for Carlos Tevez when the iron is hot, or whether he chooses to invest it in a host of supporting stars remains to be seen.

Categories: AC Milan, COVER STORY, Editor's Pick, Italia Serie A
Tags: AC Milan Carlos Tevez

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