I don’t claim to know where Carlos Tevez will end up next season – but there’s every chance it won’t be with Manchester City. Given the ambiguity over the Argentine’s future, Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final was an important game for a number of reasons. One being the fact that City managed to pull off what many neutrals considered to be impossible – a big win without their most important player Carlos Tevez steering them towards victory. Both the City midfield and forward players played well off of each other and provided clear evidence that the Blues aren’t as reliant on Tevez as many would have us believe.

So would a Carlos-Tevez-free-future be such a bad thing for Manchester City?

The biggest concern would have to be that City’s other strikers pitch in and start scoring on a regular basis. With a 20-25 goals-per-season striker, I have little doubt that City would soon establish themselves as a regular feature in the top four of the Premier League. Whether Edin Dzeko or Mario Balotelli are capable of pulling this off remains to be seen.

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When Tevez plays you get the feeling that everything has to go through him. This can often result in other members of the City attack getting overlooked. Because of his stature in the squad and his ability both on and off the ball, the more creative players in City’s midfield are always looking to give an outlet to Tevez, rather than spreading the ball or choosing the more sensible pass.

City’s performance in the FA Cup semi-final appeared fluent and natural – almost as though they were displaying more ‘togetherness’ than they do when Tevez plays.

Tevez has been the focal point of the attack at City for almost the entire season. When you attempt to take your leading man out of the side, it’s only natural that the side struggle to adapt. Imagine for a second a Manchester United side without Wayne Rooney or an Arsenal side without Cesc Fabregas. It’s heartening then, that City coped so well without their skipper.

Without Tevez in the team, other players will step up and accept a greater importance in the team. I expect Yaya Toure, David Silva and Adam Johnson to have their best seasons yet next year and aid a Manchester City title-challenge.

Without the spectre of Tevez hanging over City player’s heads, hopefully they’ll begin adapting to their other striker’s style of play. That means chucking in more crosses for Edin Dzeko, who is clearly an adept finisher but isn’t receiving the kind of service that will see him flourish in the Premier League.

I can’t help but feel positive in regards to the remainder of the season without Tevez and next season should he decide to leave. His absence will see the rise to prominence of a number of important City players. The goal-scoring burden will be shared and I’m sure that City would reap the dividends.

Article courtesy of Harry at This is Futbol

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