Bauza laments Tevez´s China switch, Argentina boss opens door for Icardi

Edgardo Bauza wanted Chinese Super League recruit Carlos Tevez to continue playing for Boca Juniors, while the Argentina head coach could call on Mauro Icardi.

Tevez became the latest big name to join the lucrative CSL last month, moving to Shanghai Shenhua in a deal reportedly making him the highest-paid player in the world.

It remains to be seen whether Tevez’s departure from Buenos Aires will affect his international chances but Bauza refused to rule out the 32-year-old from his World Cup qualifying plans.

“I would have liked him to continue in Argentina,” Bauza told Radio Continental of the 76-time international forward.

“[But] I’m going to follow Tevez because I’ve always kept him in mind. He raised the level, he’s capable of anything.”

One player who could be set to enter the fold is Inter captain Icardi.

Icardi – who tops the Serie A goalscoring charts with 14 this season – has been a regular scorer in Italy but the 23-year-old has only made one appearance for Argentina – as a substitute in 2013.

As Bauza prepares for qualifiers against Chile and Bolivia in March, he said: “I do not rule out that new names can arrive.

“At any moment I call Mauro Icardi.”

Argentina – fifth in the CONMEBOL standings – host South American champions Chile on March 23, before travelling to Bolivia five days later.