Carlos Tevez Contract: Worth The Trouble?

Regardless of how football pundits dissect Alex Ferguson’s managerial achievements as compared to the likes of Matt Busby or Bill Shankly, there is a begrudging admiration for the manner in which he fulfilled his promise to knock Liverpool “right off their fucking perch.”

That was an ambitious gauntlet thrown by a budding manager who had just taken over the reins at Manchester United while Liverpool were dominant and had established a stranglehold on the titles. But apparently, Alex Ferguson is not given to frivolous claims.

Today, he is a point away from matching Liverpool’s 18 titles and savoring the prospect of winning even more trophies. Alex Ferguson has a perfect opportunity to accomplish the record equaling feat in style by lifting the Premier League title at Old Trafford and dealing another blow to Arsenal’s pride in the process.

Manchester United have to guard against complacency though as the Gunners are expected to unleash a violent backlash. Arsene Wenger will not tolerate three defeats in a row and with only one point needed, I believe Alex Ferguson will shun an open game of attacking football. Instead, he will rely on counter-attacks and disruptions to Arsenal’s beautiful passing game.

To be sure, Alex Ferguson has built a solid foundation to obliterate Liverpool’s triumphs but success can change overnight. As it is, the current squad is up for some shake-up.

Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Gary Neville, having spent most of their career at Old Trafford, exemplified the spirit of Manchester United and are the guiding beacons for aspiring youngsters. But the trio could be retiring soon and I am hard pressed to name other role models who share the same passion, work ethics and off-pitch discipline.

Youngsters like Danny Welbeck, Rafael da Silva and Federico Macheda are able and banging hard at the doors of the senior squad but their experience at the big stage is threadbare.

Cristiano Ronaldo, a potential Golden Boot winner for two consecutive seasons, could be on the transfer market at the right price. Manchester United are debt laden to their eyeballs and cannot refuse an attractive offer for a player who has already repaid his dues and is constantly flirting with Real Madrid in the off-season.

Coupled with the imminent departure of Carlos Tevez, the current all-conquering Manchester United squad could be severely crippled. While Alex Ferguson will stand in the way of any transfer for Cristiano Ronaldo, Carlos Tevez enjoys no such privilege at Old Trafford.

In fact, the Argentinian could be the first player from this golden generation of Fergie’s babes to depart. Carlos Tevez gave a controversial interview weeks ago during which he said he no longer felt wanted at United. Frustrated by a lack of playing time in major games, he said: “It’s goodbye. I’m leaving and I do so with my head held high.”

Indeed, he can hold his head high as he played with the same professionalism and hunger. Carlos Tevez enthralled the fans by burying City with the second goal of the Manchester derby and equalizing with a brilliantly cheeky backheel against Wigan Athletic.

These recent performances have underscored his value to Alex Ferguson’s plans and strengthened the case for an end to months of feet-dragging in making his contract permanent. I believe Tevez’s outpouring of emotions with a hands-behind-the-ears gesture in front of the United chief executive, David Gill, was heart-felt.

I don’t see Carlos Tevez’s gesture as a challenge as it is understandable that his patience and affinity for Manchester United have been tested to the limits. Not to forget, it is the World Cup Finals next year and the Argentinian needs to play regularly to ensure his position in the competitive starting XI of his country.

However, David Gill does not hold the key to Tevez’s future as the CEO will ultimately bow to Alex Ferguson’s wishes on players’ matters. Ferguson may not be convinced that the exorbitant fee, increase in wages and possible conflict over money within the squad, represent a worthwhile investment.

The fans are shouting “sign him up, sign him up,” in every match to pressure Manchester United to reach a quick resolution but Alex Ferguson’s non-committal response was, “The fans love a trier. That’s the great thing about football. A lad who tries a lot can be forgiven for a lot of things.”

The “things which have been forgiven” are not elaborated but Carlos Tevez must have grown weary of Ferguson’s indifferent attitude. He confided in Argentina head coach Diego Maradona, “That old man doesn’t like me. He’s not playing me and he’s lowering my value.”

I believe such revelations have done Carlos Tevez more harm than good as Alex Ferguson never likes his players to wash dirty linen in public. To be fair, Alex Ferguson is not blind to Carlos Tevez’s talents, else he will not have gone to great lengths in bringing him to Old Trafford.

On his day, Carlos Tevez can rip defenses apart with his power, pace, ball control and agility. More importantly, he has a winner’s mentality to go with his exceptional gifts, a crucial ingredient for delivering results when the chips are down.

Tevez has also shown admirable restraint and magnanimity in his relegation to the third striker by training hard and fighting for the team during his limited displays. Not surprisingly, Manchester United fans are grateful and love him deeply for his tireless work rate, a sharp contrast to Berbatov’s languid style.

If one reviews the history of Carlos Tevez’s career, it is no coincidence that he has been appreciated by the fans in every club he has gone to, winning trophies along the way when he has opportunities to perform to his full potential.

Carlos Tevez’s precocious talents were spotted as early as 8 years old where he played football on the streets. Boca Juniors gained first mover’s advantage by recruiting him into their youth squad when he was 13 years old. The lad improved quickly and before long, staked his place in the senior squad.

In 2003, Boca Juniors enjoyed an extremely successful year by clinching the Argentine Championship and the Copa Libertadores (South American Champions League). Boca Juniors then beat AC Milan in the Intercontinental Cup to put the icing on the cake.

In December 2004, Carlos Tevez transferred to Corinthians which exceeded $20 million, following the Brazilian club’s deal with Media Sports Investment (MSI). This was a transfer record in South American football and immediately caused intense debate in the Brazilian football community.

How absurd to have an Argentinian make waves in the land of samba football? You can just imagine the resentment and cultural clash in the dressing room by having an Argentinian come to a predominantly Brazilian squad and smashing their wage structure.

Well, Carlos Tevez defied traditions by captaining Corinthians to the 2005 Campeonato Brasileiro, and he was named the league’s best player by the Brazilian Football Confederation, becoming the first non-Brazilian player to win the award since 1976.

Notwithstanding footballing skills and success, Carlos Tevez has a difficult streak which can be hard to rein in. His fight with Brazilian team mate Marquinos was shown in a public video. On August 2006, Sky Sports reported that Tevez was refusing to play for Corinthians.

It was announced soon after that both Tevez and Mascherano were signing for West Ham United on permanent deals for £12 million each. Not the kind of exemplary behavior or loyalty expected of a fan’s favorite.

At West Ham, he criticized Alan Pardew’s strategies and threw a mini tantrum by leaving the ground early after being substituted against Sheffield United. His season was salvaged when Alan Curbishley came on board and in a late season rally, Tevez rescued West Ham from the brink of relegation by scoring crucial goals.

Despite his penchant for attracting controversies, there is no doubt any club which recruit Carlos Tevez will benefit immensely. Manchester United have paid about £10m during his two year “loan” at Old Trafford, and they have to make up the rest of his £32m valuation to conclude the deal. So why don’t United pay Joorabchian £22m and be done with it? Why is Alex Ferguson behaving indecisively?

After all, if Manchester United sold off Carlos Tevez and purchase another superstar like Frank Ribery or Karim Benzema, the deals will not come cheaply. It make more cents and sense to secure the services of an established star. However, the biggest obstacle remains the onerous terms of the contract which leave football clubs at a huge disadvantage while benefiting MSI. Such contracts are unfortunately common in impoverished South America.

Tevez’s agent Kia Joorabchian, owns the player’s economic rights exclusively and absolutely through MSI of which he is both founder and President. Under the terms, Tevez is not allowed to agree to anything without their consent and only MSI possess unilateral right to terminate the contract.

While Tevez saved West Ham from demotion, the Hammers are now paying a heavy price for the brief fling with talents that they could never attract or afford under normal circumstances. If a deal is too good to be true, it often is.

West Ham paid a £5.5m fine for the unprecedented irregularities within the contract whereby the players’ economic rights belonged to MSI while the club held the players’ registration. Sheffield United made a successful case that West Ham should have points deducted instead of being fined.

This would lead to West Ham being relegated instead Sheffield United. In an out of court settlement, West Ham agree to foot £20m compensation to Sheffield United for their demise. Didn’t the players or MSI have any responsibilities in this debacle? Unfortunately, they got away scot-free, leaving West Ham to rue their misfortune.

You can understand why Alex Ferguson does not want Manchester United to be in a position where their competitors can question the achievements of the club in the same manner like West Ham, if Carlos Tevez were to play a pivotal role as a permanent player.

When Manchester United tabled the loan deal for Carlos Tevez, the Premier League originally objected by insisting that “any deal for Carlos Tevez has to be done directly with West Ham”. Kia Joorabchian then issued West Ham with a High Court writ “…to compel West Ham to release the registration of Carlos Tevez in accordance with contracts entered into between the parties.”

An agreement was finally reached between West Ham and MSI, with the approval of the Premier League, whereby MSI would pay a paltry £2 million to West Ham, who would then release Tevez from his registration with them.

Alex Ferguson is all too familiar with the wiles of Joorabchian and the agent may pull the same tricks over Manchester United when he wants Carlos Tevez to move on to another rich club. Carlos Tevez can simply “stop playing” again to force United to accept a nominal fee.

Before Tevez and Mascherano arrived at West Ham United, reports surfaced that many clubs had turned down the offers. They were wary of the third party ownership of Tevez and reluctant to make a move. Thus, Manchester United have the luxury of time to work out a suitable contract in this case.

Also, with the exception of Barcelona, Manchester United are currently the most exciting team in Europe. For any ambitious footballer in terms of winning domestic honors and possibly more European trophies, they will not be in a hurry to leave.

Conversely, Real Madrid which declare itself the most prestigious football club look helpless in their recent 6-2 humiliation by Barcelona. Other suitors like Manchester City may be good on the money but are not serious title contenders. As for Liverpool, Tevez can reunite with Mascherano but I doubt if Tevez will enjoy Liverpool’s playing style.

While Tevez’s situation at Old Trafford has changed for the better in recent days with Alex Ferguson’s insistence that United would like the striker to remain at the club and they have held cordial discussions, Tevez’s representatives were quick to stress that no offer was placed on the table.

In the latest twist to Carlos Tevez’s contract saga, the Argentinian forward have rejected Real Madrid’s $40 million overture. Kia Joorabchian insists that his client’s decision to reject a move to Real is proof that money is no incentive when it involves his career.

“Carlos will decide on his future,” Joorabchian said. “Carlos Tevez will decide where Carlos Tevez will play. This is not about money it’s about where Carlos wants to play and his family.”

Now, if Carlos Tevez is really eager to play for Manchester United, there are get out clauses available to him. Only he can decide what is best for his career, much like how David Beckham sacrificed money (literally) to play at AC Milan.

Carlos Tevez can challenge his owners based on European Law. East Midlands MEP Chris Heaton-Harris said: “Under European law he [Tevez] has the right to break this contract. If he went to the European Commission and said he wanted out he would get support. You can’t keep a person to a contract that he doesn’t want to continue in.”

Manchester United are also said to have been investigating how the Bosman rule might be applied to Tevez’s case in the belief that the contract he has with his owners could violate European labor rules.

Under the Bosman ruling, any third party (ie a club) which governs the movement of a player between jobs is a restraint on trade. MSI may be a company, but they are also a third party, and therefore his freedom under the Treaty of Rome is being violated if he is not allowed to move on to where he pleases.

The legal sticking point is likely to be the fact MSI signed their contract with Tevez in South America (ie outside of EU jurisdiction), but since he wants to play in Europe, his contract is arguably open to challenge within the EU.

Manchester United have made it clear they are not interested in paying the full £32m, which suggest a landmark legal case to challenge the third party ownership. There can be little question that any further transfers would not entail the agent continuing to retain “ownership” of the player.

I believe Alex Ferguson will made the right decision for Manchester United. In any case, he has successfully reduced Carlos Tevez’s impact on Manchester United’s dominance and they will be none the worse in terms of challenging for titles even if Tevez depart.

Thus if Alex Ferguson finally arrives at the conclusion that Carlos Tevez’s contract is just too much of a trouble which will compromise the club’s interest, the fans should accept the decision and move on.