Carlos Tevez could find himself relegated to fourth choice striker at
Manchester City this season.
• Premier League Team News
• Tevez out of Argentina squad
In his first two seasons with City, Tevez had been one of the first names
on the team sheet of first Mark Hughes, then current boss Roberto Mancini.
However, a late return after appearing at the Copa America for Argentina, and
with his future at the Etihad Stadium uncertain, led Mancini to leave the
striker out of City's opening two games, starting with the Community Shield.
Edin Dzeko took the chance to impress and with Sergio Aguero equally impressive
following his arrival from Atletico Madrid, Tevez was squeezed out. And the news is even worse, with Mario Balotelli able to occupy a wide berth, Tevez's chances could become very limited.
"Mario could have more chance because he can also play wide," said Mancini,
ahead of Saturday's Premier League encounter with Everton.
"The thing is, Carlos is not 100% at this moment. He needs to play to find good form and he understands that we have other strikers that at this moment are doing well and scoring goals."
No matter who Mancini has used in the past, it has not helped him to find a way
of beating Everton, though.
The Toffeemen have emerged victorious on seven of the last eight meetings
between the two sides, including the last four, a period that encompasses all
Mancini's duels with David Moyes.
It is something that happened in reverse during his Sampdoria days and the City
boss admits he struggles for an explanation.
"When I played for Sampdoria, we went to Udinese and always won," he
recalled. "This can happen in football. Maybe I should just cancel the game."
The latter comment was delivered with a smile but Mancini knows his side should
end the run soon, given the vast disparity in income between City and
cash-strapped Everton.
"There are many clubs like Everton who can't spend money. They are still a
good team. Maybe they spent in the past or have young players who have come from the
academy.
"I like Tim Cahill a lot. His mind works for the team all the time. He is not tall but he is fantastic in the air," he said of the Australian.
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