Any arguments about the best strike force would be blown out of the water. Sergio Aguero, Edin Dzeko, Mario Balotelli ... AND Carlos Tevez. That sound you can hear? Defenders quaking in their boots.

Now that Carlos is back on board, Micah Richards for one believes the Blues' bid to extend that lead and land a first League title since 1968 has just received a timely boost.

Micah, celebrating his recall to England duty, tells sportinglife.com: "Tevez was outstanding last season. He was inspirational.

"He was our captain and a leader. He was unbelievable on the ball but also off it, he worked so hard. He is a nightmare to play against, and to have that in the team would be really good for us."

While the numbers also speak volumes for Tevez - 52 goals in 91 games for City - Richards knows that fans have been hurt by the former skipper's self-imposed five-month exile.

But Micah reckons: "If he can get his head down and we end up winning the Premier League and he plays a massive part in that, I am sure everyone will forgive him."

Hmm, sounds reasonable enough.

David Silva tells goal.com: "Carlos has shown before he has great character and determination, and for someone like him it would be easier to get into form than for others.

It is very important to have those four great strikers with us. It makes it easier for the people playing behind them

"We all know they are great players and it could be an important factor to help us win the title race."

Of course, David knows a bit about winning Silva-ware (sorry, it's Friday). He offered this tasty morsel to reporters yesterday while extolling the virtues of holiday isle Gran Canaria.

"It will be as important for me to win the Premier League as it was to win the World Cup," he tells the Independent and others. "To know that the supporters have waited so long for something like this, it will be a very important moment for everyone."