Footballer Profile - Carlos Tevez

By looking at the bare statistics, you'd be forgiven for wondering what all the fuss was about with Carlos Tévez. Seven goals in 26 league games for West Ham United; 19 in 63 for Manchester United. Hardly the sort of figures that should have West Ham fans singing his name out when he returned to play against them or, for that matter, the Old Trafford faithful to keep on urging Fergie to 'Sign him up, sign him up sign him up' at every home game. Certainly not the kind of player you might expect to have a 'Welcome to Manchester' poster displayed in the city centre for.

Even for his national team the Argentine striker has been no more prolific - 8 goals in 51 appearances making him quite Heskey-like in his goals per game ratio. And yet, wherever he has played, Carlos Tévez has been adored by the followers of his team. And he has three times been South American Player of the Season, and Hammer of the Year at West Ham after scoring the goal that ensured their Premier League survival - ironically at Old Trafford in May, 2007. It might be because of his tremendous work ethic and willingness to chase all day long; it might be because of his sometimes sublime link-up play; it might even be because, with one or two notable exceptions, not many South Americans have adapted so readily to life at the top of English football. Whatever the secret, it resulted in Manchester City followers being delighted when he was one of Mark Hughes' recruits during the summer of 2009.

Even now, after just 5 goals in his first 14 matches for the club, there are few supporters who wouldn't have Tévez as one of the first names on the team sheet. Carlos Alberto Tévez was originally from Ciudadela in Buenos Aires - from a district known as 'Fuerte Apache'. The nickname that has followed the player since, Apache, was given him at his earliest youth football club, All Boys. After signing for the famous Boca Juniors club and then subsequently transferring to Corinthians, his all-action style attracted the foreign scouts but after that it all began to get complicated.

All the ramifications of the deal which Media Sports Investments made with West Ham will probably never come to light - and the legal minefield frightened off some of the clubs interested in the player and his compatriot Javier Mascherano. The situation became even more complicated when Tévez moved to Manchester United on a two year loan deal which then had the possibility of the Old Trafford team buying the player outright.

Despite being one of the crowd's favourites, Tévez clearly felt unappreciated by some quarters at United. Left out for too many of the big matches and seemingly facing a reluctance to negotiate a full transfer, he made it clear that he would move on in the summer of 2009. Nevertheless, he must have left Old Trafford with many good memories - notably scoring the opening penalty in the Champions League Final shoot-out victory over Chelsea.

Since arriving at Eastlands to wear the Manchester City shirt - for what was claimed in the press to be a British record fee of £47 million - Tévez's all-action style has earned him his usual praise from the supporters - still revelling, of course, in snatching him from their local rivals. Already helping guide Mark Hughes' side to their first major cup semi-final since 1981 - and scoring a fabulous goal against Arsenal in the 3 - 0 quarter final victory - Tévez's attitude on the pitch belies his claim in the Argentine press that he was so tired he would consider retiring from football after the South Africa World Cup were his team to take the trophy. Perhaps he was considering making more cumbia villera tracks with his band - apparently that's his favourite pastime outside of football.

Certainly City fans will be hoping that this was a quote taken out of context somehow and that - World Cup winner or not - Carlos Tévez is back playing for the club in the Champions' League next season. After all, they already know that, as far as he is concerned, bare statistics don't go anywhere near explaining his value to the team.

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Footballer Profile - Jamie Carragher

A one club stalwart who always plays with absolute commitment, Jamie Carragher is one of the Premier League's most dependable defenders. One of the very first names on the team sheet for over a decade, Carragher is the epitome of what supporters love to see on the pitch - a local lad who knows just how much the club means to the people who pay to watch games.

Despite growing up as an Everton supporter -and having to read listen to rumours for years about having an Everton tattoo on his arm - Jamie Carragher has been at Anfield all of his professional career. Alongside his fellow Evertonian and school friend at the now defunct Lilleshall School of Excellence, Michael Owen, Jamie became a member of the Liverpool Youth team that won the FA Youth Cup in 1996. After making his league debut in the 1996/97 season, he established himself in the first team squad the following season.

During his early first team years, Carragher both benefited and suffered from his undoubted versatility. His all-round defensive qualities led to him playing at right back, left back and in midfield as well as in central defensive positions. He had the curse of the utility man - he was usually in the team but never able to claim a position that was really his own.

It was Rafa Benitez who eventually decided to install Carragher into the centre of the defence permanently when he arrived from Valencia at the beginning of the 2004/05 season. The partnership formed between Jamie and Sami Hyypia became the foundation of the team that went on to memorably defeat Milan in the Champions' League Final at the end of that season. Carragher, the captain on that illustrious occasion, will always be remembered by Liverpool supporters for that famous last ditch tackle at the end of extra time when he was barely able to walk because of cramp.

Controversially, and for many people regrettably, Jamie Carragher decided to bring his international career to an early end when, in 2007, he told the manager, Steve McClaren that he was no longer available for selection. After 34 appearances since 1999, the frustration of being unable to hold down a regular position persuaded him to concentrate on his Liverpool career.

Although he has never been the quickest of defenders, Jamie Carragher has always shown an uncanny ability of being able to 'read' situations in advance. Also able to time tackles well, his recent sending off against Fulham - itself a debatable decision - was his first for seven years. More than anything, though, it is his willingness to put his body in the way of anything that has always endeared him to Liverpool followers.

At 31 years of age, Jamie Carragher should have several more seasons of top level football ahead of him. Already he has played in more European matches than any other Liverpool player and, although he is unlikely to overtake Ian Callaghan's 857 first team appearances, he already has 590 to his credit. This means that he is ninth on the list and, with Alan Hansen and Bruce Grobbelaar not too far ahead of him, he could overtake them this season. It's less likely, however, that Ian Rush's total of 346 goals will come under threat; Jamie has four to his credit so far!

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