Carlos Tevez is a blue and he’s happy about it

It’s probably not escaped your notice that City travel to The Swamp to face The Rags on Saturday, and Greater Manchester Police are aware of the heightened tension surrounding the clash.

Recent fixtures between the two sides have been plagued by problems – most notably after Paul Scholes’s late winner at Eastlands last season – and the police are concerned that a stream of incendiary statements, from the likes of Gary ‘shit scared of City so I’ll retire’ Neville and Carlos Tevez, have increased the likelihood of problems.

City responded to GMP’s request by placing an interview with the player on their official club website in which the Argentinian made no reference to his time at The Swamp.

GMP have asked pubs and bars around The Swamp to restrict the flow of alcohol in the build-up to the game.

Assistant chief constable Neil Wain said, “Police are asking licensees to consider voluntarily restricting the supply of alcohol near the stadium and in areas where we expect a large number of supporters.”

In the interview the 27 year old striker insists none of his team-mates “love the shirt” more than he does despite requesting to leave Manchester City in December. Tevez was thought to be keen to be reunited with his two daughters in Argentina, while a statement from the player himself suggested his relationship with City’s executives had become unworkable. Such troubles, Tevez claims, could not now be further from his mind.

“I never walked out of the club or wanted to do any harm to the club, not for anything in the world. I do not think there is anyone who loves the shirt more than me. I show that in every game I play. I give everything I have got. I do not speak very often to the press. I just have it in my head, I do my talking out there on the field, which is the most important thing. People might want to have a pop at me but I am completely at ease here. I want to do my best for the City shirt.”

Tevez admits he is happy with own form and that he has set his sights on helping City qualify for next season’s Champions League.

“It is a period in my career where I have begun to enjoy things more. I am happy and very relaxed as a result of the football I am producing. We are right in there battling it out for a Champions League place. That is what the team is aiming for and where the team ought to be.”

Tevez also hailed talented playmaker David Silva, claiming that the Spanish midfielder is the best signing his side has made.

World Cup winner Silva, 25, joined City for £24 million in the summer from Valencia and has so far made 19 appearances for the club, although he has only managed one goal – a fine individual effort in the 3-2 win away against Blackpool.

And Tevez, who has bagged 18 league goals so far this season, is a massive fan of the diminutive Spaniard who he believes has added an extra dimension to the sides play this season.

“David Silva is the best signing we have made. He is the type of player who can win you the game. He can provide you with the sort of pass that puts you through one and one with the goalkeeper. He is one of the best players in the squad – He has freshened up the team and brought a new dimension to it.”

You can see the full interview on the City site HERE