CARLOS TEVEZ REVIVAL CASTS DOUBTS ON VAN PERSIE

YAYA TOURE is certain that Manchester City can prosper without their top transfer target Robin van Persie.

The reason? The “perfect partnership” between rejuvenated Carlos Tevez and Sergio Aguero.

Toure says the return to form, fitness and favour of Tevez means that even if City fail – as seems likely – to land Van Persie, they will not be short of goals in their defence of the Premier League title.

Tevez has lost a stone after a rigorous fitness programme designed to return him to peak condition after he missed most of last season following his bust-up with manager Roberto Mancini and going AWOL to Argentina.

His intuitive understanding with compatriot Aguero has been a feature of City’s pre-season matches, while his superb strike in the Community Shield win over Chelsea on Sunday indicated he has not lost his eye for goal.

Midfielder Toure said: “We have a lot of fantastic players but Carlos is one of the best. He is one of our most important players. He was very dangerous against Chelsea. He and Aguero are the perfect partnership. They have played for Argentina before. Now they play for Manchester City and I am sure they will score a lot of goals for the club.

“We have some fantastic strikers. We also have Edin Dzeko and Mario Balotelli. They are all so sharp and clever. We put Carlos and Aguero there against Chelsea but it could have been Edin and Mario. The most important thing is that, no matter what team the boss picks, it plays well.

“Do we need Van Persie? That is not a problem for me. It is a problem for the club. My job is to make my way and help the team to win.”

Toure says once Tevez had apologised for walking out on the team last season he was welcomed back into the fold and has been a revelation in training.

He added: “Carlos made a mistake. But the most important thing when you make a mistake is to apologise. He done that to everyone. He has come back and wants to show he will give everything for the team.