Argentina legend, Gabriel Batistuta, has tasked Jorge Sampaoli to pick players who are in great form and not names for La Albiceceste’s 2018 FIFA World Cup squad.
Argentina will face Iceland, Croatia and Nigeria in group D at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Batistuta who represented Argentina at three FIFA World Cups in 1994,1998 and 2002, struck 52 times in 77 appearances for La Albiceleste in an international career that spanned 11 years, also warned that Sampaoli’s squad lacks reliable defenders who can help win the World Cup.
“I’m worried that there’s no solid team in place. I just hope that the coach realises this because what we have seen is an unsettled team especially in terms of result,” Batistuta was quoted on Mundo Albiceleste.
“I think Argentine footballers are great but there’s need to work in the defence and there’s also need to prepare well for the World Cup. If they do, they can have a great tournament.
“The players that should play for Argentina are the ones in their best form and not names.”
“We are going to the World Cup that lasts for a month and three weeks. We can’t play with just names. If that’s the case Diego Maradona Mario Kempes and Ubaldo Filol will still be playing.
“As far as Mascherano is concerned it’s left for the coach to decide but what I can tell you is that we can’t go to the World Cup with just names. We won’t do anything if we do. If names are in form, great, if not lets set up a team.”
“I think they can give more individually and collectively.”
The Fiorentina legend also slammed Juventus striker Paulo Dybala for saying it’s difficult playing alongside Lionel Messi.
“It’s very difficult to understand that anyone could say it’s difficult to play with Messi. He (Dybala) should not have said it. It was an unfortunate comment.”
The post Batistuta: Sampaoli Shouldn’t Pick Names For Argentina World Cup Squad appeared first on Complete Sports Nigeria.
