Bye Bye Apache !!

[Twan]

MANCHESTER, England (AP)
Tevez asks for Man City transfer

Carlos Tevez has filed a written request for a transfer from Manchester City according to British media reports on Saturday.

The British Press Association says it confirmed the move, even though Tevez and the club have made no official announcement.

Since his controversial move from Manchester United 18 months ago, Tevez has been hugely influential and a fan favorite for City. He's scored 39 goals in 60 appearances, ensuring a possible departure would leave a big hole in the team ranks.

But Tevez misses his two daughters who are in Argentina, and his relationship with manager Roberto Mancini has deteriorated despite being named captain at the start of the season.

He didn't attend the players' Christmas party, and missed the 3-1 win over West Ham on Saturday because of suspension.

[Bricktop]

Dream on buddy...

[Gamma]

who? Tevez?

[Twan]

Manchester City captain Carlos Tevez has submitted a written transfer request, which the club has rejected.

The 26-year-old Argentina striker is said to be homesick after four years in England.

"The club remains disappointed by this situation and particularly with the actions of Carlos' representative," said a Manchester City statement.

Tevez was suspended on Saturday as City won at West Ham to move level on points with Premier League leaders Arsenal.

He had an angry exchange with manager Roberto Mancini when substituted in the closing moments of his last match against Bolton on 4 December.

The club will remain focused on the games ahead in what is turning out to be a very promising season. The door remains open for Carlos to be selected to play

Manchester City club statement

City say that Tevez and his agent, Kia Joorabchian, have been pushing to renegotiate the player's five-year contract in recent months.

The statement continued: "Roberto Mancini and all at the club have shown, and will continue to show, sensitivity to Carlos' personal circumstances including the issue of his family being based overseas.

"Indeed following his suspension as a result of the game against Bolton, Carlos requested, and was given, special dispensation by the manager to take leave overseas.

"The written transfer request is in stark contrast to Carlos' stated position in both public and club contexts.

"Significantly, over recent months, the club has also received numerous requests from Carlos' representative to renegotiate and improve his playing contract as well as more recently a request to extend that contract by another year.

"However, in line with the club's policy of not negotiating playing contracts mid-season this has not been granted. Carlos' current five-year contract has three-and-a-half years to run and he is the highest paid player at Manchester City Football Club.

"This is both an unfortunate and unwelcome distraction and the club will remain focused on the games ahead in what is turning out to be a very promising season. The door remains open for Carlos to be selected to play."

Tevez joined Manchester City from rivals Manchester United last year after a two-year spell with Sir Alex Ferguson's side that saw him win two Premier League titles, the Champions League, the Fifa Club World Cup and the Carling Cup.

He then joined fierce rivals City in July 2009, and was a key member of the side as they just missed out on Champions League qualification by finishing fifth last season.

BBC Radio 5 live football correspondent Ian Dennis said: "The striker is believed to be homesick and over the last couple of months there have been suggestions he's considering quitting football altogether.

"In a recent television interview he said he was tired of football and tired of people who work in football."

Tevez left South America for England in 2006 to join West Ham, along with fellow Argentine Javier Mascherano, and scored the goal at Manchester United on the final day of the season that kept the Londoners in the Premier League.

However, the pair's third-party contract ownership by Joorabchian's company, Media Sports Investments, ultimately led to West Ham having to pay the relegated Sheffield United £20m in compensation.

City have had a number of problems with their strikers this season and have been heavily reliant on Tevez, who has scored 10 of their 23 Premier League goals.

Emmanuel Adebayor has struggled to hold down a regular place in the starting XI, while summer signing Mario Balotelli has spent spells on the sidelines through injury and suspension.

[Zeppo]

C'mon, Carlitos. You signed a 5-year contract that made you the highest paid player on the team.

Time to suck it up and be a man.

[Peter R]

- sounds like football is messing up his life- (sarcasm emoticon)

[Zeppo]

Carlos Tevez 'will play if picked' for Manchester City

Carlos Tevez is prepared to play for Manchester City despite handing in a transfer request, his adviser has said. Kia Joorabchian claimed the 26-year-old Argentina striker wants to leave as he feels the club reneged on promises which were unrelated to money.

Joorabchian told the Daily Telegraph: "Carlos has never said he is not going to play so those rumours are rubbish. He will play if picked and 100% do his best. He feels that is important every time he puts on the shirt."

(continue)

[Paul Marin]

C'mon, Carlitos. You signed a 5-year contract that made you the highest paid player on the team.

Time to suck it up and be a man.

I think there is more to this story than we are being led to believe. This is not behaviour consistent with his onfield performance which - if nothing else - is highly professional. My spidey sense tells me that there is a motivating factor (not his daughters) that we're not aware of. Certainly, he's been around football long enough to deal with the off field and backroom b.s., so there's something else.