Shanghai Shenhua boss Wu Xiaohui bemoans Carlos Tevez performance

Carlos Tevez

SHANGHAI  Shenhua chairman Wu Xiaohui has admitted Carlos Tevez is falling short of expectations at the Chinese Super League club.

Tevez’s performances and fitness have been criticised as the team languishes close to the relegation zone following five straight defeats.

The ex-Manchester United striker, who joined Shenhua in December 2016 on a £615,000-a-week deal, scored only his third goal of the season in a 6-1 humbling by city rivals Shanghai SIPG last week.

“Our intention was to bring in an influential star player with high quality, and we all think Tevez could fit the bill,” Wu told Shanghai TV.

“However, due to a lack of winter training and match-fitness, he didn’t meet our expectations.”

Shenhua are 12th in the 16-time CSL with only six wins in 24 matches.

Wu added: “Every team has peaks and troughs, but of course I understand results are most important in competitive sports.

“I heard what everybody said about the club hierarchy. They can rest assured that, as the chairman, I will take full responsibility if we indeed make mistakes or don’t do good enough.

“And I’d like to say — for the record — that if anybody can do a better job than us, we would vacate our offices at any time. We have no problem with that.

“We would quit as long as it is in the best interest of Shenhua. We are not driven by self-interest. Not in the slightest!” – kickoff.com