Mancini hopes Tevez keeps firing

22 January 2011 09:30

Roberto Mancini would love Carlos Tevez's daughters to hang around for the rest of the season if it meant the Manchester City skipper could maintain his present form.

Tevez cited the pain he felt at the absence of Katia and Florencia, who live in Buenos Aires, as one of the major reasons behind his well-publicised transfer request in December. Peace has now broken out between player and club and, last weekend, Tevez's daughters acted as mascots for the home game against Wolves.

"At the moment, Carlos is happy," said Mancini.

"He has his family here and he is scoring in every game. If he continues like that I hope they can stay for the entire season."

Tevez will lead his side into battle once more this evening as City head to Aston Villa and a clash between the two most expensive signings of the transfer window so far - the Blues' £27million new boy Edin Dzeko, and Darren Bent, who could cost Villa £24million following his shock switch from Sunderland.

Spending of that magnitude is one of the reasons why Sir Alex Ferguson is amongst those who feel there is no value in the transfer market.

The counter-argument is that clubs must stump up the going rate if they want to get the players they need. And in January, Mancini feels that means coming up with a little bit more.

"I am happy Aston Villa spent that money on Bent. It shows that it is not just Manchester City doing it," Mancini smiled.

"When you want to take a player in January, you must pay more than at the end of the season.

"I don't know how much Aston Villa have paid for Darren Bent and I don't know if we paid the right money for Edin Dzeko. But Bent and Dzeko were on the market. Real Madrid are looking for a striker now and they can spend money. But it is difficult."

Source: PA