CARLOS TEVEZ has thanked Manchester City fans for standing by him after his falling-out with Roberto Mancini.
The Argentinian has scored in every Premier League game this season, after a reconciliation with his manager and the club in April following his refusal to warm up during a Champions League match a year ago.
“I don’t know if I’m an idol for the City fans, but I am very grateful to them,” he told the Manchester Evening News. “They have always treated me well, even after all of the things that were said away from the pitch. They have always welcomed me, and for that I am grateful.
“Whatever I do, they make me feel at home and I would like to thank the fans for that. What I want is to keep winning silverware. That is why you train and play – to keep winning trophies – and that pressure will always be there. It’s like every Sunday you take an exam. In football you have to play a game under pressure. But I don’t put myself under extra pressure to become a champion – that is just something I want to achieve.”
Mancini believes Sergio Aguero might have recovered from a knee injury to start at Stoke City today if the striker had not been forced by the “stupid” Fifa rule to join Argentina for their World Cup qualifiers.
Aguero has not played since suffering the problem against Southampton in City’s opening league game. Although he could yet make the XI for Stoke, he has only an outside chance. Aguero did not feature for Argentina and Mancini is unhappy the 24-year-old had to fly there.
“This is a stupid rule because if we had a player who is injured for two weeks it is better he stays here to recover very well. He went to Argentina for five days. He worked with the physio and then came back – the Argentina manager wants him there. Sergio is not 100 per cent but his knee is okay; he doesn’t have pain.
“Maybe he could be on the bench at Stoke. We try this morning with Sergio and after we try, we will decide.”
Mancini confirmed there were no complications following Mario Balotelli’s eye operation: “Mario is okay, Mario now sees everything.”
