Diego
06-10-06, 12:08 PM
Argentines urged to quit West Ham
Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano
Tevez and Mascherano have struggled for form
Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano have been advised to leave West Ham by Argentina national boss Alfio Basile.
Since the Argentine pair signed on transfer deadline day from Brazilian club Corinthians they have struggled and West Ham have failed to win a game.
Basile told Argentine website TyC Sports: "I think they're half-hearted and I'm really worried. They play as if they're unenthusiastic.
"I hope both of them leave that club as soon as possible."
Interview: BBC Sport's Tim Vickery
Basile took over the Argentina post from Jose Pekerman following the World Cup in Germany.
Both Mascherano and Tevez were part of that squad that exited the tournament after losing to Germany on penalties in the quarter-finals.
Basile added: "I hope for God's sake that Mascherano can go to Juventus as it has been said, even if he has to play in the second division in Italy.
"And Tevez can play in any position in the attacking line, but not as a left-winger like he is currently playing."
South American football reporter Tim Vickery told BBC Five Live that he felt Tevez had more to worry about than Mascherano.
"There's a lot of competition in Argentina's front line for that stocky striker role," he said.
"They've got Lionel Messi, of Barcelona, and Sergio Aguero the new teenage wonderkid of Atletico Madrid, so Tevez has some serious competition.
"I think Mascherano's place in the national team is more solid.
"He's been talked about as perhaps a captain of Argentina, especially now that Riquelme has retired from international football.
"So that perhaps is Basile's worry about Mascherano, that this is a player who he thinks is absolutely vital to the future of the Argentine national team.
"He's not happy and the best is perhaps not being got out of him at West Ham."
Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano
Tevez and Mascherano have struggled for form
Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano have been advised to leave West Ham by Argentina national boss Alfio Basile.
Since the Argentine pair signed on transfer deadline day from Brazilian club Corinthians they have struggled and West Ham have failed to win a game.
Basile told Argentine website TyC Sports: "I think they're half-hearted and I'm really worried. They play as if they're unenthusiastic.
"I hope both of them leave that club as soon as possible."
Interview: BBC Sport's Tim Vickery
Basile took over the Argentina post from Jose Pekerman following the World Cup in Germany.
Both Mascherano and Tevez were part of that squad that exited the tournament after losing to Germany on penalties in the quarter-finals.
Basile added: "I hope for God's sake that Mascherano can go to Juventus as it has been said, even if he has to play in the second division in Italy.
"And Tevez can play in any position in the attacking line, but not as a left-winger like he is currently playing."
South American football reporter Tim Vickery told BBC Five Live that he felt Tevez had more to worry about than Mascherano.
"There's a lot of competition in Argentina's front line for that stocky striker role," he said.
"They've got Lionel Messi, of Barcelona, and Sergio Aguero the new teenage wonderkid of Atletico Madrid, so Tevez has some serious competition.
"I think Mascherano's place in the national team is more solid.
"He's been talked about as perhaps a captain of Argentina, especially now that Riquelme has retired from international football.
"So that perhaps is Basile's worry about Mascherano, that this is a player who he thinks is absolutely vital to the future of the Argentine national team.
"He's not happy and the best is perhaps not being got out of him at West Ham."