Amid the fall-out from revelations that Tevez had asked to leave City, it was claimed in a club statement that it is not their policy to conduct contract negotiations during the middle of a season. However, as an increasingly bitter feud escalates, the Tevez camp have responded by claiming to have proof City were doing just that via an e-mail offer of a revised contract which was sent at the beginning of October. City have said that talks had taken place, but over peripheral issues such as image rights, rather than a contract itself. Blues officials are adamant Tevez's long-time advisor Kia Joorabchian is the major problem, given the downturn in his own relationship with the club. They point to a succession of different reasons that have been put forward for Tevez's discontent as evidence of a shifting position from the South American. Yet even they accept the bond between Joorabchian and Tevez is so strong it will not be broken, which makes their decision to single out the Iranian for personal criticism strange given it only increases the likelihood of them losing their skipper. There is a sense of disbelief amongst the Eastlands faithful at a time when they should be celebrating being in the thick of the title race. However, saddened as club legend Mike Summerbee is by Tevez's actions, he is confident the Blues remain on an upward curve. "Bert Trautmann was a great player. Francis Lee and Colin Bell were great players. Bobby Johnstone was a great player," Summerbee said. "They all left but this football club continued. The club will be there forever. It doesn't matter what the situation is. "It is a bit upsetting it has got to this situation because he (Tevez) has been such a good player for us, but Manchester City will go on and we are only going one way - upwards." Tevez is due back to training tomorrow after being given an extra day off by Mancini. Given the deterioration in his relationship with the club, it was questioned whether the 26-year-old would actually turn up. However, it is understood he will be at Carrington as City begin preparations for Thursday's Europa League trip to Juventus. Whether Tevez is on board the flight to Turin is another matter. The Eastlands hierarchy are solidly against a January sale and the financial resources at their disposal mean City are the only club who could conceivably dump Tevez in the reserves and let him stew. Such a scenario may not appeal to Mancini though, given he seems to be permanently fire-fighting problems with senior players. Although Tevez said in his statement yesterday he had "no personal issue" with Mancini, he did leave open the possibility for conjecture about his professional relationship, which is thought to be rocky at the very best. The prospect of having someone so disaffected around the training ground may not appeal, even if Tevez continued to give his all for Manchester United even when it was obvious in his final few weeks at Old Trafford that he would be leaving. "It is a little bit upsetting for this to happen when things are going so well," Summerbee added. "We are in such a good position and played ever so well on Saturday. "That win in itself shut a few mouths because it proved we can survive without Carlos."
