You've had a wonderful first half of the season Carlos, do you think you're at your peak of your career right now?
I don't ever settle for what I've done. The day I feel at my peak, I'll leave football because it will mean that I've lost my will to become a better player. Since I began playing as a child I've always tried to better the past, so if I play well one day, I want to play even better the next day. If I have a good tournament, I will work harder to make sure I improve for the next one. I can't work any other way.

Is it true that you're already thinking about quitting football?
I've been thinking that, in two or three years, or when my contract with Man City expires, I might not continue playing in Europe. I don't know. There's a long way to go and I have time to think about it. I've always had the idea of leaving football at 29 or 30 years old maybe. In reality, I will leave football the day it stops making me happy.

Man City spent big again during the closed season and you're sitting in a nice league position - do you think the squad is better now than it's ever been?
Yes, I believe we are going to finish higher than last season. We already had a solid base built, and now that some very good new players have arrived I think we could be in the top four. That's our first goal. I hope we can fulfil it.

Isn't it tricky getting to know so many new teammates at the start of each season?
Some people say this but getting used to new teammates is not difficult. We players know that at the end of every season there is a rotation of players in and out of a club and we've all learned to adapt easily. We make sure the new boys get used to playing for us quickly so that they feel comfortable and perform well for Man City. The new boys are doing that this season for sure.

It must be hard for Mancini to pick the team every week?
That's the manager's job. Our obligation is to be in good shape and make it difficult for the manager to pick the team. I believe that variety is good for the manager and for the team. At least he has many options.

How do you react if the manager rotates you?
Well, luckily, I've always played for teams where there was a lot of competition for places. I try to remain calm and make sure I'm ready to play but if I have to be on the bench, I support my teammates from outside as I always do.

How have Yaya Toure and David Silva helped supply you with even more goals this season?
These are two great players who are more than welcome in our team. They have helped me to score more this season and I have tried to help them to perform well too. The season has begun very well in this respect with both Yaya and David supplying me perfectly.

Yaya is a big tough guy. Who is the hardest man you've played with and against in football?
The first big tough guy I've ever played with was Rolando Schiavi. He used to kick me a lot in Boca's practice matches even though we played together in official games. He was a pain in the neck! Or, better said, in the legs!  I couldn't pick only one tough guy from the Premier League - all the defenders are tough here. There are many Schiavis here, ha ha!

You thrived under Mancini last season and now he's made you captain. Would you have left City if he hadn't stayed at the club?
Mancini knows so much about football, and I really respect him. I was happy when he was first appointed manager, and I am happy now because he's going to continue here for a while. I like him because he is a clever manager and a good person. I don't know if I would have left if he had gone because that didn't happen. I'll never know that.

What have you made of Joe Hart's progress this season?
I think that Joe Hart has to be congratulated. I know that he works very hard to be better and better every day and he is accomplishing it.

Finally, the all important question - can you win the Premier League this season?
This Premier League can be won by any team, even a surprise team this season. Our idea is to be within the top four but the higher, the better. It's not crazy to think that we can win the Premier League this season. We are very excited and we'd really like to win it for our fans.

This article appeared in the February 2011 issue of Australian FourFourTwo magazine. To buy back copies of this issue call 03-8317-8121 with a credit card to hand.