De Jong hoping for Tevez stay

19 May 2011 10:30

Manchester City midfielder Nigel de Jong says the players might be tempted to do "something crazy" in a bid to prevent Carlos Tevez leaving Eastlands.

The Argentina striker and club captain is in a dilemma about his future plans because of the difficulties of being separated from his daughters. Tevez has been key to City's success this season and took his goals tally to 20 with a brace in the 3-0 victory against Stoke on Tuesday night.

De Jong said: "We might do something crazy to persuade him but he is a happy guy and he loves the team so we will see what happens."

He had previously said: "Everyone will respect his decision but he is one of our main players and important for this club.

"We have to make sure he will stay, and we will do anything in our power to do that. Maybe we will get some Argentinian dancers over, or sometimes do the rumba in the dressing room."

That victory against Stoke took City into third placein the Premier League and a win over Bolton on Sunday at the Reebok Stadium will ensure automatic entry to the Champions League group stages.

Arsenal would be condemned to qualifying, no matter their result in the London derby with Fulham.

It would be a fitting finale to the campaign for City, according to De Jong, after they lifted the FA Cup for the first time in 42 years at the weekend.

Bolton have lost four successive matches and the Dutch midfielder is intent on inflicting more pain on Owen Coyle's side.

He said: "We are almost there and have everything in our hands. We need to secure that third place. That would be a big step for us and make it a fantastic season."

Source: PA