Carlos Tevez

WEST HAM

Speculation over the future of Tevez reached fever pitch after reports circulating from Brazil claimed Carlos was refusing to play. The mainstream media in England, Spain and Italy was linking Tevez with a move to a whole host of Europe's top clubs.

So the surprise and shock when Tevez and team mate Mascherano was unveiled as West ham players reverberated through the football world. The transfer deadline day double signing was an audacious move by West Ham but ended up clouded in controversy, not for the first time in the career of Tevez. The arrival of two of Argentina's world cup stars had a negative effect to begin with. West Ham went nine games without a win failing to score in seven matches in a row. West Ham had had a successful first season in the top flight the previous year, finishing a strong mid table and losing the FA cup final on penalties. The capture of two high profile names appeared to affect the harmony within in the team as reports circulated that the manager had been forced to take the pair.

Appearances for West Ham in the first half of the season were patchy and his relationship with the manager Alan Pardew looked strained. Carlos was critical of the way Pardew managed the club stating in a newspaper article that he was surprised he wasn't sacked sooner.

Alan Curbishley took over and Tevez made his first start under the new manager against Brighton in the FA cup. Carlos was involved in all of the goals in a 3-0 win. Tevez signed for West Ham on 31st August 2006 but it took him until March 4th 2007 for him to score his first goal, a curling free kick against Tottenham.

Carlos Tevez West Ham MSI

West Ham Stats:
2006 - 2007
Apps: 29
Goals: 7

West Ham lost the match 4-3 but Carlos on the score sheet gave him the confidence to finish the season with a flurry. West Ham went to Old Trafford on the last day of the season and faced newly crowned champions Man Utd. Tevez scored the decisive goal in a 1-0 win which kept West Ham in the premiership thanks to Wigan's 2-1 victory over Sheffield United.

The controversy surrounding the deal which brought Tevez to West Ham ended up with West Ham being fined £5.5 million for breaching premier league rules. The third party ownership of Tevez was widely reported as the main reason larger clubs didn't sign him. MSI owned the players economic rights and West Ham held the players registration. This situation was unprecedented in the premier league and Sheffield United and other clubs made a case that West Ham should of been deducted points instead of being fined. This would of led to West Ham being relegated instead Sheffield United. The case went to an arbitration tribunal but was dismissed after 2 days.

Carlos Tevez West Ham