Argentina midfielder Javier Mascherano has vowed to stay with West Ham United despite being urged to quit the club by national team manager Alfio Basile.
“In a football club like this you need time to adapt,” Mascherano told the London Evening Standard. “Maybe the first year is just about getting to know it.
“My idea is to stay a long time because it is not right for a player to spend just a year in one country, that’s too hard. My wife and baby daughter have joined me and we are looking for somewhere permanent to live.”
Basile has earlier suggested that Mascherano and fellow Argentine Carlos Tevez should quit the Premier League outfit.
“I hope both leave as soon as possible,” said Basile. “They are half-hearted and I am really worried about it.
“I hope Mascherano can go to Juventus as has been said. Tevez can play in any position in the attack but not as a left-winger, like he is currently playing.”
Mascherano and Tevez joined West Ham in August from Brazilian club Corinthians, but since arriving at Upton Park the club have yet to win a match.
