© EuroFootball.com
Argentine national team and English Premier League club West Ham United defender Javier Mascherano has expressed his desire to leave the struggling team, which is currently sitting in 18th place in the country's league.
The 22-year-old Argentine transferred to West Ham on August 31st along with his national team and team mate Brazilian striker Carlos Tevez, but only played for six minutes in a match against Tottenham on October 22nd.
"I have to leave here. I can't stay at West Ham under these conditions - that is when I'm not playing. At my age, my skill could suffer greatly if I continue to not play," said a disappointed Mascherano.
West Ham, currently in the relegation zone, is linked with defender Nigel Quashie of the lower division club West Bromwich Albion, who could potentially replace the young Argentine star. The 28-year-old player joined West Bromwich Albion in January 2006 after leaving Southampton and has enough experience in the battle against relegation.
Meanwhile, Argentine Mascherano, who left a big impression at the World Cup in Germany this summer, is reportedly interested in the prestigious Liverpool club in England and the fifth-place Zaragoza team in the Spanish championship.
"I came to England to perform well, but I had no opportunity to show what I can do," added Mascherano. "If I continue to not play in the West Ham team, I will have to continue my career elsewhere."
However, Mascherano's desire to leave the club may be hindered by FIFA rules, which state that a footballer cannot play for more than two clubs from July 1st to the end of June the following year - Mascherano was already playing for Corinthians until the last day of the summer transfer window when he moved to West Ham.
However, the country's football association could appeal to FIFA and request a change in decision. This could allow the Argentine, whose career at Upton Park is currently tragic, to leave.
The multiple Italian champion club Juventus, which was relegated to Serie B due to a corruption scandal this summer, has shown interest in Mascherano, but recently rejected the possibility of signing him due to complicated contract conditions.
This season, Mascherano has only worn the West Ham jersey seven times: in five Premier League matches and twice in UEFA Cup matches against Palermo from Italy.
