Tevez and Fergie Toe to Toe

The pre-season is gaining momentum and every comment made is once again subject to a degree of magninifcation.

The Tevez saga has now been fuelled by his old foe Ferguson who claims he was told by Tevez that he would retire after four year. This in turn meant that giving him a five year contract was futile because he'd be gone before the end of it and therefore his resale value would be nil. Fair point but I think the football world knows that since buying Berbatov, the Stretfords have been working with a financial millstone around their necks forcing them to shop along with 'Arry in the bargain basement of Bosmans, loans and almost freebies. They got a bit lucky with Hernandez, but even he was useless in the Champions League Final.

This is typically Ferguson sticking an oar in where it isn't warranted and a back door vehicle to help prevent City releasing Tevez. It is unimportant Alex. If he stays we can afford to pay him. I suspect the real reasons that you haven't got Nasri or Sneijder is that the salaries are a bit beyond your debt-ridden Club and you would have the non-mercenaries aka Rooney and Ferdinand knocking at your door. Or maybe the Qatar money is already drying up as their suspicions rise.

A 'spokesman' for Tevez says that this story isn't true because those issues weren't discussed at any point. I wonder who the 'spokesman' is. We all know who pulls Tevez strings and therefore who it is likely to be and therefore who else gets burned if Ferguson stirs the hornets nest well enough.

For Ferguson's part he should be wanting us rid of Tevez. It is interesting that he didn't pipe up until it looked likely that he would have to sign for a European team who in turn might humiliate the Green and Golders in the Champions League. If he has to stay with City and we sign Aguero, which is looking increasingly likely, Ferguson's team could end up on the dark side of the moon as his grafters start to get eclipsed.

It is somewhat disappointing that talks look to have stalled with Nigel de Jong over a contract extention. Last season Nigel was immense and his danger spotting and cover tackling in the FA Cup Final was majestic. He has also played well so far in the pre-season. I'm sure that I share the views of many City fans in hoping that City are generous to Nigel for his contribution to 'the project' so far and his dedication to our Club. No homesickness and antics with him, just pure graft and a feeling that he is one of the reasons that the team is gelling.

Micah Richards is talking himself up and asking Fabio Capello why he has been deselected from the England set up. Micah is nothing but confident and against the back ground of his last six months is probably worth another look. Readers of my columns will be aware that I had him listed for the exit chute in January, but he has definitely pulled his socks up since then and has started to fulfil his promise. He too has done well in pre-season so far and maybe Capello will take another look. He can't do any worse than others who have played as right back so maybe his time has come.

We have also learned have we not over the weekend that a certain Mr Joorabchian has been sticking his nose in amongst City's players to teach them ' ways to maximise their earnings'. Maybe that is the key reason that City have stalled negotiations with de Jong. Maybe they don't want any more integration with Joorabchian. Nigel..if he is advising you....get rid!!

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