Tevez surprised by Premier League

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BUENOS AIRES, Argentina -- Argentina forward Carlos Tevez says he has been surprised by the physical side of English football since his move to West Ham United in August.

Tevez and compatriot Javier Mascherano have struggled to adapt since their surprise transfer to the London Premier League club from Brazilian champions Corinthians.

"English football is very physical and you have to be very quick," he said in an interview with Argentina's Radio Mitre on Wednesday.

"Mascherano and myself knew it would be difficult and we have to be patient.

"I knew it would be different but not this much. You don't see much dribbling here, you only get one touch otherwise they eat your legs.

"There aren't any small defenders, they're all big. And you have to be 100 percent, otherwise you don't play."

"It's made me improve as a player," he added. "In South America, you stand out by having good technique, but not here. I'll have to be patient and keep learning."

The 22-year-old international denied he would be leaving the club shortly.

"I don't know anything about moving from West Ham," said Tevez. "They're all asking if we're staying but we just keep on training."

West Ham agreed an £85 million ($161.3 million) takeover from an Icelandic consortium on Tuesday.

A group led by Iranian-born Kia Joorabchian, who brought the two Argentine players to London, had seemed favorites to buy the club but an offer failed to materialize.

Joorabchian is the former head of the Media Sport Investment group, who bought Corinthians in 2004.

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