Mancini: Tevez could be given a new contract

Jan 12, 2013 10:35:00 AM

The Manchester City manager believes that the 28-year-old Argentine should be rewarded with a new contract, with his current deal at the Etihad expiring at the end of next season

Roberto Mancini believes Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez should be given a contract extension at the club, despite the Argentine having effectively gone on strike for much of last season.

The 28-year-old did not feature for the side for around three months, having opted to return to South America after publicly falling out with manager Mancini.

But Tevez was a very important player for Mancini when he returned, helping to fire the Manchester club to the Premier League title in May.

And now, although Tevez has admitted he would like to return to his homeland to play football in Argentina, the City boss has told reporters that it would be a shrewd move by the club to offer the player a new contract.

“This could be a good idea, because Carlos is 28 and he has many other years to play. I think that this could be an option," said Mancini.

“But I don’t know what Carlos thinks about this. We have another 18 months [before his current deal expires] and I think we have the time to talk with him about this.

“When Carlos takes his decision, he will talk with us.

“I remember Carlos said that when he finishes his contract he will go back to Argentina, but I don’t know what he thinks now. But we have the time for this.”

The former Manchester United and West Ham striker has provided assists for five City goals so far in this league campaign, which alongside his current tally of seven goals means he has created or scored 12 goals, the highest number of all his team-mates.