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Argentina Boss Hints Dybala And Icardi Are Unlikely To Go To Russia

Argentina Boss Hints Dybala And Icardi Are Unlikely To Go To Russia

Is there anyway England can call them up for the World Cup instead then?

Ryan Sidle

Ryan Sidle

Argentina are so stacked with forward players of quality that manager Jorge Sampaoli has suggested that world class pair Paulo Dybala and Mauro Icardi are likely to miss out on a place at the World Cup.

It's just not fair really. If you've seen those graphics that show squad depth for certain teams at the World Cup then you'll have seen just how unfair the world is and just how bad England really are.

It seems like Germany, Spain and France could take about three teams each to the World Cup and still get to the semi-finals whilst Brazil and Argentina probably have two teams to choose from better than Gareth Southgate.

Icardi has often had trouble with teammates, should he make our most hated XI?

Of course Argentina have Lionel Messi so as long as they put the Barca forward in it barely seems to matter who else is in the team, they'll still have a chance of going far. After all the five time Ballon d'Or winner did drag them to the final last time round.

Who else plays alongside him upfront is a long running question in South America but talking to the media yesterday manager Jorge Sampaoli hinted it wouldn't be Serie A pair Paulo Dybala and Mauro Icardi, saying:

"It will be hard for Dybala to get used to our style. We couldn't improve his performances and we have to evaluate if the current players are better than Paulo or if we've to keep working with Paulo to improve his performance.

"Icardi's situation is similar to Dybala's. The comparison between Icardi's performances at Inter and with Argentina is not the best. I realised that and felt we have to work on it harder. But we don't have enough time. Maybe his adaptation time will not be a short one. I won't rule him out, but as Argentina's coach I have to prioritise our partnerships on the pitch."

Icardi has more goals in less games in Serie A than Higuain this season. Image: PA Images
Icardi has more goals in less games in Serie A than Higuain this season. Image: PA Images

Neither player is in the squad for Argentina's friendly against Italy at Manchester City's Etihad Stadium on Friday night with Messi, Sergio Aguero, Gonzalo Higuain, Angel Di Maria, Cristian Pavon and Lautaro Martinez picked instead.

Dybala and Icardi are both yet to score for the international team although the Juve forward has just 12 caps and the Inter man has often been unfancied by national team managers and has just four caps.

Youngsters Pavon and Martinez would be the obvious players to make way should the Serie A pair force their way in but are both good prospects, with Inter Milan heavily linked with Martinez potentially as a replacement for Icardi should their captain move on.

Imagine having players the quality of Dybala and Icardi, leaving them out and still having Messi, Aguero and Higuain to play up front!

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Topics: Football News, Russia 2018, Mauro Icardi, Paulo Dybala, Juventus, Argentina, World Cup, Inter Milan