Mancini to tell Tevez: We can be City legends

16 December 2010 06:30

Roberto Mancini will remind Carlos Tevez when he meets him for talks on Friday that together they can become Manchester City legends.

The Italian manager is anxious to lead the club into the Champions League for the first time next season and they are on course to do just that. Mancini wants Tevez to remain his talisman and forget any thoughts about moving after the Argentina striker handed in a transfer request that was promptly rejected.

The Blues boss said: "This is an important season for us. We can change the history of the club. We have this group and Carlos is an important player for us. I hope he stays here. Together we can work well this year. I think we can always change our mind. I don't think he is really unhappy. But maybe there is another reason."

Tevez claimed his relationship with key executives at the club had broken down "beyond repair" and his representative Kia Joorabchian accused the club of reneging on promises made to the player.

Tevez did not travel with the rest of the City squad for the Europa League group match against Juventus on Thursday night and Mancini said: "I haven't spoken to him yet.

"He is our player and I hope he continues to play for us and score for us. I will speak with him on Friday.''

Mancini said Tevez's transfer request had come as a surprise to him, at a time when the club find themselves in third place in the Barclays Premier League.

"I am disappointed because we are in a good moment and in a good position in the table and our focus must be on this,'' the Italian continued.

Mancini joked: "I hope he continues to be unhappy if he is scoring goals like this, 10 in the Premier League."

Source: PA