Shocked City point finger at Joorabchian

Manchester City have put themselves on a collision course with Carlos Tevez’s trusted adviser Kia Joorabchian after revealing they have turned down a request from the striker to leave Eastlands.

Tevez’s entire career has been guided by Joorabchian, the Iranian-born businessman who retained the South American’s registration until he joined City in a jaw-dropping move from Manchester United last year.

At no stage has the 26-year-old given any indication of being unhappy with Joorabchian, which means City are taking a calculated gamble in singling him out for criticism over the transfer demand Tevez has submitted, even though the striker is citing personal anguish at being apart from his two young daughters, who are back home in Argentina, as one of the reasons for his discontent.

“The club remains disappointed by this situation and particularly with the actions of Carlos’ representative,” said a club statement.

“The written transfer request is in stark contrast to Carlos’ stated position in both public and club contexts.

“Significantly, over recent months, the club has also received numerous requests from Carlos’ representative to renegotiate and improve his playing contract as well as more recently a request to extend that contract by another year.”

The words are at odds with the idea that Tevez is desperate to get away.

Indeed, in an interview with the official club magazine, published on Wednesday, he addressed the issue of his daughters himself.

“I miss my family, just like anyone would when they are not around,” he said.

“But I am happy here in Manchester and I feel good in myself. As for the subject of retiring, I did mention it in an interview, saying it had crossed my mind. But it is something I don’t see happening for a long time to come.

“It is not easy for me living abroad while my little girls are in Buenos Aires. But it is something you have to deal with.

“It is a sacrifice that has to be made when you have made a commitment like I have done with City. It is something I am going to see through. Once that job is done I will have plenty of time with my kids.”

Yet potential retirement, or at the very least a move back to his homeland, have been cited as a potential option for Tevez after he slapped in his request to leave.

For their part, City claim to be mindful of that personal situation.

Tevez had already been granted two lots of extended time at home since his arrival at the club, and the Blues revealed he started another once he was suspended for yesterday’s win at West Ham.

“Roberto Mancini and all at the club have shown, and will continue to show, sensitivity to Carlos’ personal circumstances including the issue of his family being based overseas,” the club’s statement explained.

“Indeed following his suspension as a result of the game against Bolton, Carlos requested, and was given, special dispensation by the manager to take leave overseas.”

In echoes of the traumatic week at Old Trafford that began with Wayne Rooney stating his desire to leave and ended with him signing a very lucrative contract extension, the issue of another deal has been raised.

City make a point of not agreeing extensions in mid-season, and as Tevez will still have three years to run on his current deal at the end of the season, allied to the fact the Blues are attempting to trim their wage bill rather than increase it, there has been an understandable reluctance to negotiate.

“Carlos’ current five-year contract has three-and-a-half years to run and he is the highest paid player at Manchester City,” said the statement.

“We can also confirm that the (transfer) request has been rejected but this is both an unfortunate and unwelcome distraction.

“The door remains open for Carlos to be selected to play.”

As City have already qualified for the next stage of the Europa League, the next time Tevez is due in action is almost certainly the home encounter with Everton on December 20.

It will be fascinating to see what developments the story has taken by then.

Some feel, like Rooney, Tevez will eventually be won around; others that given his previous willingness to join City from United, he is not scared of making unpopular decisions and will leave.

Manager Roberto Mancini realises he can hardly do without his skipper on the basis that Emmanuel Adebayor is virtually certain to leave next month and fellow striker Mario Balotelli had an outrageous strop after being substituted at West Ham yesterday and appears too temperamental to be relied upon with any degree of certainty.