Carlos Tevez

So, Carlos Tevez is nearing full match fitness and may return for the match between Manchester City and Chelsea F.C.  You can only guess at what has gone through Tevez's mind recently.  He was accused of refusing to warm up for a European Cup game in Germany, in September of 2011.  He was disciplined for this and then took the mature step of 'spitting his dummy out' and went home to Argentina to'sulk'.  The whole process has cost Tevez an estimated £10 million.  I hope he thinks it was worth it.
Since his return to Manchester City, he has been supported by many of the players.  Micah Richards said in the press recently that Tevez 'carried' the team.  This may give the reason for him being so well liked by the playing staff at Man. City.  He hides their blushes and turns games that they would have lost/drawn into wins, so they all get their win bonus.
However, as cynical as I am about professional footballers, there is no doubt that Tevez is a fine player, and has the ability to 'carry' a team filled with stars such as Man. City.  Other clubs recognised the quality of Tevez while he was on strike in Argentina, and some tried to buy him.  The problems were that none reached Man. City's valuation of Carlos Tevez and then there was his wages.  He is reportedly earning £250,000 per week at Man. City, which other teams will struggle to match.

In these days of player power, it is heartening to see a situation where a payer, even of Tezez's quality, was 'brought to heel' by the owners and managers of the club that paid his wages.  It would be good if this was a Universal faced by all professional footballers.