In his first two seasons with the Blues, Tevez had been one of the first names on the team sheet of first Mark Hughes, then current boss Roberto Mancini.
However, a late return after appearing at the Copa America for Argentina, and with his future at the Etihad Stadium uncertain, led Mancini to leave the striker out of City's opening two games, starting with the Community Shield.
Edin Dzeko took the chance to impress and with Sergio Aguero equally impressive following his arrival from Atletico Madrid, Tevez was squeezed out.
And the news is even worse for, with Mario Balotelli able to occupy a wide berth, Tevez's chances could become very limited.
"Mario could have more chance because he can also play wide," said Mancini, ahead of the Premier League encounter with Everton at the Etihad Stadium. "The thing is, Carlos is not 100% at this moment.
"He needs to play to find good form and he understands that we have other strikers that at this moment are doing well and scoring goals."
Not that Mancini is dismissing the contribution Tevez can make.
However, after being in a healthy bargaining position for so long, the 27-year-old is now just one of a growing number of high-profile players for City to accommodate.
No matter who Mancini has used in the past, it has not helped him to find a way of beating Everton.
The Toffees have emerged victorious on seven of the last eight meetings between the two sides, including the last four, a period that encompasses all Mancini's duels with David Moyes.
It is something that happened in reverse during his Sampdoria days and the City boss admits he struggles for an explanation.
"When I played for Sampdoria, we went to Udinese and always won," he recalled. "This can happen in football. Maybe I should just cancel the game."
The latter comment was delivered with a smile but Mancini knows his side should end the run soon, given the vast disparity in income between the Blues and the cash-strapped Toffeemen.
"There are many clubs like Everton who can't spend money. They are still a good team," he said. "Maybe they spent in the past or have young players who have come from the academy.
"I like Tim Cahill a lot. His mind works for the team all the time.
"He is not tall but he is fantastic in the air."
Mancini has already decided not to include Owen Hargreaves and will check how well Kolo Toure came through his return from a drugs ban before finalising his line-up.
After dropping two points at Fulham last weekend, City have fallen behind neighbours Manchester United, who retain a 100% record.
However, the City chief has been given an incentive to improve as if he remains in charge for another three years, he could preside over the move into the club's magnificent new training complex, the plans for which were unveiled earlier this week.
"I don't know when it will be finished," said Mancini. "In Italy if you say two years, it means four.
"I hope to be here. It would mean I had worked well.
"If not I will come back as a supporter."
Source: Team Talk
Source: Team Talk