Premier League 
/ Hannah Duncan / 22 February 2012 / Leave a Comment 
Tevez on that fateful night in Munich
"City need a boost to see them through to the end of the campaign – a different option in front of goal - and Carlos Tevez could well be that man."
Carlos Tevez behaved badly in the autumn and he has bridges to build with his manager, team-mates and fans, says Hannah Duncan. However, if the Argentine helps Manchester City win the Premier League then he might be forgiven...
In a month that's seen Mick McCarthy apologise for Wolves' 5-1 drubbing to local rivals West Brom (and promptly get the boot) and big figures at Liverpool frantically offering apologies following Luis Saurez's refusal to shake Patrice Evra's hand, football now has its latest sorry tale.
Trouble seems to have followed Manchester City forward Carlos Tevez around like a bad smell in recent years, with controversial comments and prima donna strops. But his unwillingness to warm-up against Bayern Munich back in September was the final straw for Tevez in restaurant-deprived Manchester - or so it seemed.
After a self-imposed five-month sabbatical, Tevez has finally issued an apology to manager Roberto Mancini and is back in training with the Premier League leaders. But will his return be a timely one in City's bid for the title or will more trouble be on the horizon for the Argentinean?
Despite untimely exits from the Champions League, FA Cup and Carling Cup, Manchester City are in a great position to put their name on some silverware this season. Mancini's side are [1.67] favourites to win the Premier League and [4.2] favourites to clinch the Europa League title.
But their formidable form has dropped somewhat since Christmas, with their free-flowing attack subdued by West Brom, Sunderland and Everton. They are still winning matches but nowhere near as convincingly as earlier in the season. Forwards Mario Balotelli, Sergio Aguero and Edin Dzeko have scored just five goals between them in the league since Christmas, netting one, two and two respectively - with two of those coming from the penalty spot.
City need a boost to see them through to the end of the campaign - a different option in front of goal - and Carlos Tevez could well be that man. He's a prolific goalscorer and a creator and, whatever has gone on in the past, and whatever might go on in the future, Mancini needs to get the best out of Tevez between now and the end of the season.
Despite not netting in the handful of games he's played this campaign, the Argentine scored 24 goals in 44 appearances last season, including six braces and a hat-trick - certainly not a bad return. If he can recapture that form when he's back to full fitness, Manchester United's title challenge could be dead in the water.
Betting on Tevez to still be at City next season may have looked a ridiculous bet a few months ago but, depending on how his return to the Etihad Stadium goes, it might not be a bad shout now. His success at City relies heavily on the bridges he can build, not only with his manager, but with team-mates and fans too.
If City are to keep a lacklustre but always dangerous Manchester United at bay in both the Premier League and Europa League, bygones may have to be bygones where Carlos Tevez is concerned.
There are opportunities to make money on Betfair over the next few months betting on whether or not the likes of Robin van Persie and Carlos Tevez change clubs this summer......
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