|
|
Where Would Manchester City's Carlos Tevez Fit In At AC Milan? Here Are The Options
San Siro has emerged as the most likely destination for the troubled Argentine, but just where would the Rossoneri position the talented yet volatile striker?
05-Dec-2011 4:56:00 PM
Getty Images
ANALYSIS
By Mark Doyle
When queried on the potential signing of Manchester City’s wantaway striker Carlos Tevez last week, AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani was non-committal. The Rossoneri, he claimed, were only interested in loan purchases during the next transfer window.
Galliani could afford to be coy. Admittedly, Milan have a vacancy to fill up front given Antonio Cassano is unlikely to play again this season after undergoing heart surgery, but the Serie A champions are in a strong negotiating position.
Despite their incredible wealth, City have a greater need to get rid of Tevez - previously one of their most prized assets but now an expensive reserve - than Milan do to sign him. Massimiliano Allegri's men are in good form of late, even without Cassano, and are not exactly short of options up front, with both Filippo Inzaghi and Stephan El Shaarawy waiting in the wings.
However, as we can see below, the addition of Tevez, even on loan, would add an extra dimension to Milan’s attack in the second half of the season.
There are obvious similarities between Tevez and Cassano. The latter arrived at Milan in the last January transfer window after falling out with his previous employers at Sampdoria and his signing was seen as something of a gamble. While there would be no doubts over Tevez’s fitness, as was the case with Cassano, there would be question marks over his mental state.
Yet, the change of scenery could easily reinvigorate the Argentine and while he would be by no means a like-for-like replacement for Cassano, it is not difficult to see him forging just as potent a partnership with another great enigma in the shape of Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Indeed, Tevez would bring some much-needed industry and application to the Milan front line, while his propensity for drifting wide would create ample opportunity for whoever is designated the role of 'trequartista', most probably Robinho, to push forward.
Of course, as Tevez has proven during his time in England, most notably with Manchester United, he is a versatile forward, and he could just as easily be entrusted with a deeper role himself. Milan’s success under Allegri has been founded on a 4-3-1-2 system, and Tevez could be asked to play just behind a front two of Alexandre Pato and Ibrahimovic, with Robinho the man to make way.
Tevez is not an obvious playmaker but he is, as already alluded to, incredibly dynamic, completely unafraid of putting himself about in midfield if needs be and, in contrast to his image off the field, very unselfish. Playing Tevez in the hole would be a way of resolving the issue of getting three world class strikers on the field at the same time.
There would also be the option of switching to 4-3-3 to accommodate Tevez up front alongside Ibrahimovic and Pato or Robinho. Naturally, Ibrahimovic, because of his physique, ability to hold the ball up and unwillingness to run that much, would be the obvious target man in such a formation.
Tevez, meanwhile, is not unfamiliar with playing on either the right or left-hand side of a three-pronged attack. Pato, with his pace, could also be accommodated in such a formation but Robinho is also quick and would arguably be more suited to a wider role on account of his trickery and ability to beat his man.
But then, Antonio Conte has brought 4-2-4 into fashion with Juventus at times this season, so why shouldn’t Allegri play all four of his star attackers if given the chance? It would be a nice way of avoiding this potential selection dilemma. Would it be overly adventurous and leave Milan's not exactly youthful midfield horribly exposed? Probably, but it would be an exciting and potentially effective option in home games against some of Serie A’s weaker sides.
However, Pato would be the obvious candidate to start alongside Ibra in the middle and while Tevez has, as already mentioned, played wide before in a 4-3-3, it is debatable whether he would be happy operating almost exclusively as a winger for 90 minutes. And as Manchester United and City have found to their cost in recent years, an unhappy Carlos Tevez is more trouble than he’s worth.
By Mark Doyle
When queried on the potential signing of Manchester City’s wantaway striker Carlos Tevez last week, AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani was non-committal. The Rossoneri, he claimed, were only interested in loan purchases during the next transfer window.
Galliani could afford to be coy. Admittedly, Milan have a vacancy to fill up front given Antonio Cassano is unlikely to play again this season after undergoing heart surgery, but the Serie A champions are in a strong negotiating position.
Despite their incredible wealth, City have a greater need to get rid of Tevez - previously one of their most prized assets but now an expensive reserve - than Milan do to sign him. Massimiliano Allegri's men are in good form of late, even without Cassano, and are not exactly short of options up front, with both Filippo Inzaghi and Stephan El Shaarawy waiting in the wings.
However, as we can see below, the addition of Tevez, even on loan, would add an extra dimension to Milan’s attack in the second half of the season.
| TWO PEAS IN A POD? |
|
 |
|
 |
 |
There are obvious similarities between Tevez and Cassano. The latter arrived at Milan in the last January transfer window after falling out with his previous employers at Sampdoria and his signing was seen as something of a gamble. While there would be no doubts over Tevez’s fitness, as was the case with Cassano, there would be question marks over his mental state.
Yet, the change of scenery could easily reinvigorate the Argentine and while he would be by no means a like-for-like replacement for Cassano, it is not difficult to see him forging just as potent a partnership with another great enigma in the shape of Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Indeed, Tevez would bring some much-needed industry and application to the Milan front line, while his propensity for drifting wide would create ample opportunity for whoever is designated the role of 'trequartista', most probably Robinho, to push forward.
| IN THE HOLED |
|
| |
|
 |
|
Of course, as Tevez has proven during his time in England, most notably with Manchester United, he is a versatile forward, and he could just as easily be entrusted with a deeper role himself. Milan’s success under Allegri has been founded on a 4-3-1-2 system, and Tevez could be asked to play just behind a front two of Alexandre Pato and Ibrahimovic, with Robinho the man to make way.
Tevez is not an obvious playmaker but he is, as already alluded to, incredibly dynamic, completely unafraid of putting himself about in midfield if needs be and, in contrast to his image off the field, very unselfish. Playing Tevez in the hole would be a way of resolving the issue of getting three world class strikers on the field at the same time.
| THREE-PRONGED ATTACK |
||
| |
|
|
There would also be the option of switching to 4-3-3 to accommodate Tevez up front alongside Ibrahimovic and Pato or Robinho. Naturally, Ibrahimovic, because of his physique, ability to hold the ball up and unwillingness to run that much, would be the obvious target man in such a formation.
Tevez, meanwhile, is not unfamiliar with playing on either the right or left-hand side of a three-pronged attack. Pato, with his pace, could also be accommodated in such a formation but Robinho is also quick and would arguably be more suited to a wider role on account of his trickery and ability to beat his man.
| ONE IN, ALL IN |
|||
|
|
||
| |
|
||
But then, Antonio Conte has brought 4-2-4 into fashion with Juventus at times this season, so why shouldn’t Allegri play all four of his star attackers if given the chance? It would be a nice way of avoiding this potential selection dilemma. Would it be overly adventurous and leave Milan's not exactly youthful midfield horribly exposed? Probably, but it would be an exciting and potentially effective option in home games against some of Serie A’s weaker sides.
However, Pato would be the obvious candidate to start alongside Ibra in the middle and while Tevez has, as already mentioned, played wide before in a 4-3-3, it is debatable whether he would be happy operating almost exclusively as a winger for 90 minutes. And as Manchester United and City have found to their cost in recent years, an unhappy Carlos Tevez is more trouble than he’s worth.
How do you stay up with football when on the move? With http://m.goal.com –your best source for mobile coverage of the beautiful game.
152100/152175
Inside Goal.Com
-
The list of EPL targets from Euro 2012 Group A
With the transfer rumour mill set to kick into frenzy throughout this month's European Championship, Goal.com looks at which players could be heading for England this summer
-
Euro 2012 Dream Team: Ronaldo & Van Persie feature
Goal.com puts together its dream team for this summer's European Championship in Poland and Ukraine
-
Euro 2012 Tactical Analysis: How far can Roy's masterplan take England?
England are a diminished lot, with the experienced players like Lampard, Gareth Barry and Gary Cahill all ruled out of the Euros. Goal.com's Sarthak Dubey analyses their chances..
-
Euro 2012 Trivia: Which team has no player from their domestic league?
In another episode today of Euro Trivia , we bring to you another tricky question..!
Which is the only team in Euro 2012 who have not called up a single player from their own domestic league?
A. Denmark.
B. Poland
C. Czech Republic
D. Republic of Ireland.
Test your knowledge with Goal.com and send in your response. -
Euro 2000 Legends: Zinedine Zidane, France
Zinedine Zidane led France to their second European success with his vital goals and important assists. Zizou masterminded the French revolution from his midfield throne...