Argentina coach Alfio Basile believes Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano need to leave West Ham for the sake of their careers.

The pair made the shock move to London on transfer deadline day in August from Brazilian club Corinthians.

But they have both struggled for form since joining the Hammers, who have failed to win since the duo's arrival.

Basile is now concerned Tevez and Mascherano's disappointing club displays will translate onto the international stage.

"I hope both of them leave that club as soon as possible," he said.  "I think they are half-hearted and I'm really worried about that. They play as if they are unenthusiastic.

"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."

Basile also expressed "surprise" at Juan Roman Riquelme's decision to retire from the national team at the age of 28 for family reasons.

"I can talk to him to ask him to return, but his mother is more valuable to him," Basile said.

But the coach says there are "very good players" to replace the Villarreal playmaker, including Borussia Monchengladbach's Federico Insua and Real Zaragoza's Pablo Aimar.