Owen Hargreaves has said he loved playing with Carlos Tevez, but admitted the striker was not a great trainer at Manchester City.
The former midfielder was speaking on the Owen Hargreaves: Swing For The Fences podcast.
One of the most eye-catching transfers City have made since the takeover in 2008 was the Tevez deal.
The Argentine first came to England with West Ham United, along with compatriot Javier Mascherano. That was a controversial move that the Hammers were eventually fined £5.5 million for breaching Premier League rules over.
Tevez then moved to Manchester United on loan, spending a couple of seasons at Old Trafford.
In 2009, Tevez joined City for a reported £25 million, becoming the first player to move between the two Manchester clubs since Terry Cooke in 1999.
Tevez enjoyed a superb spell at the Etihad, hitting 23 and 20 league goals in his first two seasons.
He stayed for four years, eventually leaving for Juventus.
Tevez really endeared himself to City supporters with his amazing energy.
He was a striker that pressed naturally, before it become the requirement it is for a lot of managers today.
And that was somewhat surprising because apparently Tevez was nothing special in training according to Hargreaves, who was a City player for the 2011/12 season.
He said: “Carlos was the same (get it into his feet and it would be a goal). I absolutely love Carlos. Not a great trainer, I hope he doesn’t mind me saying that. But I tell you what, when the lights come on in a game, he’s your guy. You’d put your house on him. I love that.”
Carlos Tevez was an amazing signing by Manchester City, as Owen Hargreaves praises former teammate
It was brilliant to watch Tevez playing for City all those years ago.
The star was a sight to behold with the way he played. He was all about being an absolute nuisance for the opposition.
And then when he got hold of the ball, he was an extremely dangerous player. He had that explosiveness and technical quality that just made him a nightmare for defenders.
To watch him and Aguero together was a pleasure.
It’s amazing to think of him not being a particularly good trainer.
Because you would never really have known that watching him play matches. He was always bang at it.
