• Premier League

Vieira claims Tevez is 'as good as Thierry Henry'

ESPNsoccernet staff
January 19, 2011
Carlos Tevez looks set to lose his penalty taking responsibilities © Getty Images
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Patrick Vieira believes Carlos Tevez is as big an influence on Manchester City as Thierry Henry was to the Arsenal 'Invincibles'.

Another thunderbolt at Eastlands saw him book his club an FA Cup fourth round trip to Notts County and took his tally for the season to 16, emphasising his importance to the Blues' trophy quest.

As Vieira recalls, it was just like that with Henry when Arsenal were ruling the roost, and whilst the players are very different in style, their overall impact was the same.

''Carlos is as good as Thierry Henry,'' said Vieira. ''They are different players but when you want to win trophies you need a striker who can score 20 to 25 goals a season.

''City have that type of player in Carlos. He is someone who can win you games. Even if you don't play well you know he will create a chance by himself and score it. If you want to win the championship and/or FA Cup, you need players like that.''

Manager Roberto Mancini has been equally fulsome in his praise of the 26-year-old, but penalties are a problem though, and it would be no surprise if the job was handed to someone else when Mancini's team are next offered a chance to score from the spot after he missed another against Leicester.

''In every game, Carlos either scores a goal, plays well or fights against strong defenders,'' said Mancini. ''He helps control the match. There is only one problem. Penalties. At this moment they are very average, so we will see what happens with the next one.''

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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