What's Next for Carlos Tevez?

When Carlos Tevez scored Manchester United’s second goal in the Manchester Derby last month, he raced towards the United bench and cupped his ears as the supporters chanted for Sir Alex Ferguson to sign the Argentina International.

This gesture, combined with his statements in the press, seems to signal the beginning of the end of Tevez’s time at Old Trafford. There are many options for Tevez this offseason, including rejoining United, and the question is: What is best for him?

Carlitos, as he is know in his homeland, has shocked the football world on two occasions in his career, the first of which occurred when he left Boca Juniors for Brazil’s Corinthians for £13.7 million, the biggest transfer in the history of the South American game.

It was at Corinthians that Tevez began his involvements with Kia Joorabchian's MSI company, a move that would cause such controversy in England a few years later.

After a successful World Cup in 2006, Tevez was linked with some of the top clubs in Europe, but surprisingly he and Corinthians teammate Javier Mascherano were signed by West Ham for a fee believed to be around £12 million each.

Without trying to analyze the third party owner rules ad nauseam, Tevez eventually left West Ham to join Manchester United on a two-year loan deal from. After establishing Tevez’s confusing background, let us now look at his options for next season.

The first option for Tevez would be to remain at Old Trafford. Although United have said they do not wish to pay MSI the rumored £25 to keep a player they already have, Sir Alex Ferguson has stated he would like to keep the player.

Many of Tevez’s advisors, including Diego Maradona, have called for him to leave in search of more consistent first team football. In a World Cup year, it will be very important for Tevez to play regularly, and at United that most likely won’t be the case.

In United’s double winning season in 2007-2008, Tevez scored more goals than Wayne Rooney, many of which came in crucial situations including those against Chelsea, Liverpool, Spurs, Roma, and Blackburn. There are no questions that United would not have won the league had Tevez not been there.

This season saw Ferguson bring in Berbatov for £32, and it has been Tevez who has been the odd-man out most of the year.

Despite his great games, such as four goals against Blackburn in the League Cup and an inspirational display against Arsenal in the Champions League Semi-Finals, Tevez has not been able to break into the starting 11 as often as last year, often being left out for Berbatov, who has been in shocking form this year.

Ferguson has also favored the workman-like Ji-Sung Park over Tevez on European nights. Even after scoring an exquisite back-heel against Wigan to spark United’s come back, Tevez was left on the bench at the start of the Champions League Final.

Ferguson’s reluctance to start Tevez despite his great performances and protests from the fans, makes it clear that Tevez has been treated poorly by the Scot, and should therefore leave.

Tevez has stated that he feels at home in England and would prefer not to leave the Premier League, and for that reason Manchester City have emerged as the leaders. City certainly have the money to pay MSI, and their summer spending spree could also see Samuel Eto’o arrive at Eastlands.

Joorabchian serves as an advisor to City, making the signing even more likely. Although City are certainly a club on the rise and the prospect of playing alongside Eto’o (should he sign) would be great, Manchester City does not offer European football after finishing tenth in the Premier League this season.

Not seeing Tevez on Champions League nights would be sad for the game, and there would be no guarantee that buying a plethora of stars would see them arrive in the Champions League the year after.

Liverpool have also emerged as a possible destination for Tevez. Liverpool will not only play in the Champions League next season, but also pose the greatest threat to dethrone Manchester United at the top of the Premier League standings.

Liverpool looks to be the best fit for Tevez, as he would have a chance to link up with his good friend and Argentina colleague Javier Mascherano. Tevez would also be able to play with established stars such as Xabi Alonso, Steven Gerrard, and Fernando Torres.

The prospect of Tevez and Torres forming a strike partnership is a threatening outlook for any team facing Liverpool.

Rumors have also seen Tevez linked with Real Madrid, a move that would be part of Florentino Perez’s desire to see a second “Galacticos” era at the club. Like Manchester City, Madrid is becoming a bit of a circus, as rumors state that Kaka, Franck Ribery, and Cristiano Ronaldo will all arrive at the club.

Tevez would be hard pressed to be a full time starter in the unlikely event that all of these moves do take place, and even if they do not, the lack of continuity at Real Madrid hardly make it the most desirable place for footballers.

Coaches are given a short amount of time to make an impact and sometimes winning the league is not enough to keep your job, something Fabio Capello and attest to.

Diego Maradona has stated he would like to see Tevez join Jose Mourinho at Inter. With Zlatan Ibrahimovic looking to leave, Tevez would fit in nicely up front with fellow Argentine Diego Milito, a recent signing of Mourinho’s from Genoa.

Inter is an appealing option because the club will again be favorites in Serie A next season, and Mourinho will be looking to expand his squad in order to win the Champions League.

After looking at the various options for Tevez, Manchester City seems the most likely, yet least rewarding club. City have no history of success and have a manager who may be axed should he not get off to a good start next season.

They will not play in Europe either, and will most likely offer little of a challenge to the league leaders over the course of a 38-game season. Liverpool are team on the verge of greatness, and Tevez would fit in with a large contingent of Spanish speaking players.

He would also cherish the chance to stay close to his home in the Northwest of England. Madrid is certainly a big club, but there is certainly a chance that the new Galacticos era will be as unsuccessful as the first.

Inter would be the best fit for Tevez in my opinion, giving him a chance to play for one of the best managers in the world, compete for the Champions League, win Seria A, and play with a squad already with a core nucleus of players established at the club, something Madrid and City do not have.

Although I expect Tevez to join City, even if it is just to “spite United” as Joorabchian put it, but I hope he ends up at Inter. If he does wish to stay in England, then Liverpool would be spectacular as well. I certainly hope Tevez does not end up at Eastlands, as it will be sad for all fans of the game for Tevez to not feature in the Europe next season.