Nervy wait for Tevez

Zabaleta thinks wantaway striker is the only one who can solve City row

Pablo Zabaleta believes there is widespread anxiety about the future of Carlos Tevez as the Manchester City striker waits to discover if he will face any further punishment for his alleged Munich mutiny.

Tevez, who has twice requested a transfer away from City, landed back in Manchester on Wednesday and the 27-year-old could be back in training on Thursday after returning to Argentina during his two-week club suspension.

The former West Ham and Manchester United forward was banned by City and an internal investigation was launched after he apparently refused to play as a substitute against Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League in September.

Furious City boss Roberto Mancini declared Tevez was ‘finished’ at the club immediately after the defeat to Bayern and it has been speculated whether the wealthy Premier League outfit could be prepared to sack the forward.

But City have yet to make a statement on their investigation, with players reportedly unwilling to go on the record regarding the events in Munich, and it remains an anxious wait for all concerned.

Problem

“Everybody wants to know and everybody is worried about the situation because, as Argentinians, we care about Carlos,” Zabaleta, who was sat next to his compatriot in the dugout against Bayern, was quoted as saying via a translator on Sky Sports News after his country’s shock defeat to Venezuela.

“It hurts us that he is going through such a rough period. He always tries to be careful and respect everybody who is involved in the situation and the club as well.

“At the end, he is the one who is going to solve this problem.

“Carlos is a player who enjoys being desired. He is much respected in the Premier League. He has been living there for many years.

“But he will have to deal with the club and the club itself will have to take a decision.”

(source: skysports.com)