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Mancini not planning on losing Tevez

ESPN staff
August 5, 2011
Carlos Tevez will not return until 21 days after the Copa America © PA Photos
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Roberto Mancini has poured cold water on reports that Carlos Tevez will be used by Manchester City in a swap deal for Inter Milan fullback Maicon.

Media outlets in England and Italy had suggested Maicon could be used in a player-plus-cash arrangement for City forward Tevez, who wants a move away from Eastlands. Real Madrid have also long been linked with the Brazilian.

However, Mancini doused the story on Friday ahead of Manchester City's Community Shield clash with neighbours United, revealing he has had no contact from potential suitors to Tevez. The City boss was asked directly if the Argentinean could be used to bring Maicon to Manchester, to which he replied: "No. Carlos is a City player.

"Carlos is a professional player. If he doesn't have another team in the next 10 days or two weeks I think he will play for us and play serious like last year, like always."

Elaborating on when City fans might expect to see Tevez back in the sky blue jersey, Mancini stated: "The agreement with Carlos was that he wouldn't play for 21 days after the Copa America."

Maicon's agent, Antonio Caliendo, supported Mancini's stance that Tevez and Maicon would not swap clubs, telling IlSussidiario.net: "One thing is for sure, Inter chief Massimo Moratti has no intention of accepting a player as part of a Maicon sale. The president wants just cash.

"It's hard to say how much. Last year he rejected a €25 million offer. If the same offer arrived this year I think he'd sell, but I'm not the one who sets the price. Inter will do that."

The need for the addition of a right-back nevertheless appears to be pressing for Mancini, who sold Jerome Boateng earlier in the summer. The Italian confirmed he only has one fit back-up right-back for the Community Shield clash with United, revealing: "Zaba (Pablo Zabaleta) is here because if we had a problem with Micah [Richards] we have only one fit right-back."

The City boss also defended Mario Balotelli, following the forward's recent claim that he does not like Manchester. "Mario doesn't change!" laughed Mancini. "Mario was trying to say he misses his family and friends. I've spoken to him many times and he loves the supporters and his team-mates."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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