'West Ham was the best option for me. Many teams were interested, but they already had players in my position. I need to be playing to get used to English football, so the best solution for me to get to know English football is to find my rhythm with West Ham. At this time, I'm not worried about playing for a bigger club.
'I didn't want to leave Corinthians, but the directors didn't want to keep promises.
'The directors did not respect the agreements, which is why I decided to leave.
'The Premiership is a very important league.
'The type of football is very fast and skilful and I find that attractive. But it will take me a while to get to know English football.'
The Times:
When Tevez did speak, it was to bid a fairly friendly farewell to Corinthians. "The directors made promises that were not respected, but I'll miss the people I was working with."
More pressingly, he explained some of his reasons for joining the club his interpreter referred to as "Westhampton". "When I flew in, I knew West Ham was the best option," he said, thereby rejecting suggestions that he believed he was to join Arsenal, Manchester United or even Chelsea. "There were many clubs interested in me, but they already have a lot of players in my position. I came here to play. That's all I want to do, but it'll take me a year to get used to the rhythm of English football."
Diplomatically, he praised the Premiership, albeit in the manner of one not overly familiar with Ben Thatcher. "It's very quick, very fast, very pretty and very elegant," he purred. And that was that, save for a moment for Tevez to (sort of) deny his east London sojourn was merely a chance to bide his time before moving to one the big three.
"I want to do the right thing and play good soccer for West Ham. They are a big club and I'm not thinking about going anywhere afterwards."
So that clears that up, then, at least until Tuesday, when he and Mascherano are due to officially face the British press.