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Shanghai Shenhua coach: Tevez overweight, not fit to play

REUTERS/Stringer

Carlos Tevez, reportedly the world's highest-paid football player, has apparently put on a few pounds since his lucrative transfer to China.

The former Manchester City and Juventus forward was ruled out of action indefinitely after Shanghai Shenhua's new manager, Wu Jingui, gave a blunt assessment of Tevez and teammate Fredy Guarin, deeming the pair unfit to play because they are "overweight."

"I will not pick him right now. He's not ready physically. He's not fit to play," Wu said, according to the South China Morning Post.

"He is overweight, along with Guarin. I have to take responsibility for the team and the players as well.

"If you are unable (to) do your utmost to play, there's no point in picking you. I have coached lots of big stars, and my players are never picked on reputation."

Tevez signed on with Shanghai Shenhua at the end of 2016 after accepting what is widely believed to be the most lucrative pay package in football, with reports suggesting he is earning £615,000 per week.

However, he has rarely featured for the Chinese Super League team this season after missing half of Shanghai Shenhua's matches through injury. Since his reported £71.6-million transfer from Boca Juniors, Tevez has only managed to play 11 times and score two goals.

Related: Tevez defends decision to visit Shanghai Disneyland while injured

There were fears last month that he wouldn't return to the club after traveling to his native Argentina to seek further treatment, but Tevez signed a document promising to come back.

He eventually returned and overcame a muscle problem in time to feature in Shanghai's 2-1 loss to Henan Jianye on Sunday - a match that eventually cost former Sunderland manager Gus Poyet his job.

- With h/t to BBC Sport

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