Argentina’s collapse should end Jorge Sampaoli’s links to Chelsea job
By Hugo Amaya
The weeks tick by and Chelsea are still without a manager. However, after Argentina’s second game in the World Cup, Jorge Sampaoli most definitely is not the right man for the job.
Chelsea are still on the search for the right man to replace Antonio Conte. And while Maurizio Sarri is the main candidate to take the job, anything could happen. After all, the club’s board are good at surprising people- for better or for worse. But the one man they must now rule out is Jorge Sampaoli.
Argentina lost to Croatia 0-3, and this was no magic trick or lucky shot. Argentina were dreadful in their play and painful to watch. Their tactics, or lack thereof, were ineffective. Even making simple passes became an impossible task.
The back-line was probably the most solid aspect of their game, and yet Argentina conceded three goals. They shifted from a three-man line, to a four-man line to protect against counters, and still failed.
Playing Javier Mascherano as a midfielder – again – was a mistake. The former Barcelona man hesitated on his passing and, because of him, many counter-attacks failed. His inability to create anything for his team, just like in the first game, was a gift to Croatia.
The midfield in general was nowhere to be found. Although Argentina used the wings a lot more in this game, they did so inefficiently. The wingers were often isolated and had no support from the middle of the park. The disorganization was such that Leonel Messi hardly touched the ball. And when he did, it was because he went all the way back to take it from his teammate.
If that was not enough, the attack was nonexistent. The substitutions were questionable and illogical. Sergio Aguero, who had a decent first half, was subbed for Gonzalo Higuain, who did close to nothing to help his team. At one point in the game, Argentina had more attacking players than in the midfield and defense put together. However, it might as well have been just one forward waiting for a long ball, since the result would have been the same.
Through it all, Jorge Sampaoli seemed to be urging his players to actually play football. But it was clear they had no clue what to do, and that falls on him.
Jorge Sampaoli demonstrated he lacks the ability to manage a team with quality players. He does not know how to use talented players. Chelsea need someone who can set up a team to play to their strengths. Not someone who just sends players out to the field and hope for something to happen. Even the likes of Lionel Messi cannot work those miracles.
Although Chelsea have a more balanced team than Argentina, after Thursday’s display, it’s clear Sampaoli would not know what to do with it and would surely fail at Stamford Bridge.
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If Chelsea want to avoid another disastrous season, they must avoid Argentina’s coach at all costs.