No Gray Areas - Title bid to motivate Tevez
Now and then you read something in the papers that you find so astonishing and mind-boggling that you have to read it again just to make sure your eyes aren't playing tricks on you. That's how I felt when I read Carlos Tevez's comments a few days ago saying he was bored, tired, fed-up of the stress of playing in the Premier League and thinking of quitting the game altogether.
Regular readers of this column will know just how highly I rate the Manchester City captain in terms of ability, work-rate, determination and his uncanny knack of saving his best performances for the biggest games. Which is why I'm really hoping these were off-the-cuff remarks made when he was in a bit of a mood or that something was lost in translation here.
But let's just assume for a minute that they weren't and that's just the way he feels. First of all those are pretty odd comments to make for someone who plays the game the way he does - at 150 miles per hour, chasing down everything and contesting every 50-50 like his life depended on it. If he's bored with football and doesn't enjoy playing the game, he's got a pretty funny way of showing it!
If that's the way you really feel though Carlos, then take some time away from the game and do a normal job like the rest of us. Because believe me son, you'll miss it.
Without the highs and lows of match day, the camaraderie of the training ground and that buzzing feeling you get when you score a goal, you'll really find out what boredom is. What I wouldn't give to turn the clock back 30 years and still be playing in wonderful stadiums, in front of passionate crowds in the best league in the world.
Wild horses couldn't stop me from getting on to the pitch if I was young enough and fit enough to still be playing the game. And I don't think I'm alone in feeling that way; most blokes watching Tevez playing week-in, week-out from their armchairs or from the stands would give their right arm to trade places with him even if it was just for a day.
All I can say is it's a massive shame he feels that way. Not just because he's an unbelievable talent who punters love to watch play, but also because I think Manchester City have a real chance of pushing Chelsea all the way this year. But only if Tevez continues to perform the way he has this season, because they certainly can't do it without him.
If he continues the way he's going though, and if Manchester City do win their first-ever Premier League title, I suspect he won't be so bored after all.
Andy Gray is now on Twitter so follow him for his exclusive tips and his take on the biggest stories in football each week.
Published: 18 Oct 2010
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