Monday, July 2, 2018
As the knockout phase of the 2018 World Cup unfolds, I
think back to the previous Euro and World Cup, when I was tracking some rising
stars that were mysteriously (or otherwise) left off their countries’ World Cup
Rosters this time around. Here’s a
quick look at some unfortunate circumstances and puzzling moves by international
managers:
Dimitri Payet (France) – One of the key performers for France in the Euro
2016, wizarding midfielder Payet was in tears as he
got injured in the Europa
League finals for his club team Marseilles in May.
His hamstring injury gave France Manager Deschamps too much doubt about
his fitness, opting to cut him from the squad in favor of a deep list of fit
players in waiting. Regardless of
how well France plays this time around, they would be even better with him,
especially on free kicks. Let’s hope
he features again in the future Euro and World Cup tourneys.
Renato Sanches (Portugal) – A break-out star at the Euro 2016 for Portugal,
who may not have won without, the 20-year old Sanches has fallen hard the past
two years, as pointed-out by Deutsche Welle: “Bayern were universally acclaimed
for the shrewdness of snapping up the midfielder before he demonstrated a drive,
ball-carrying ability and composure far beyond his 18 years. But after an
indistinct first season under Carlo Ancelotti he was farmed out to Premier
League club Swansea, where things went from bad to worse. The initial excitement
generated by his signing soon turned to bafflement as Sanches' confidence
visibly diminished by the game, before he hit a low point when stroking a
pass out to an advertising board he had mistaken for a teammate.\
He didn't even make Portugal's initial 35-man list for
Russia and it seems he wasn't ever really in [Portugal boss] Santos' thoughts,
with Sanches notable only by his omission in a list of names the coach found it
hard to leave out. With immense
talent and athleticism, let’s hope he turns around his career very soon!\
Leroy Sane (Germany) – A key cog of the record-breaking Manchester City
machine this past EPL season, Sane was left off the German squad for a variety
of reasons, some of which are not clear.
Some speculate his style apparently wasn't a good fit for Team Manager
Yogi Loew's strategy. Alternatively, his
play for Germany during qualifying games in the past year did not meet the same
standard he reached for his club team.
We’ll never know if his presence would’ve helped Germany break into the
Knockout Phase…which it missed for the first time in 80 years!!
Even worse, Germany scored the fewest total goals in their history at the
World Cup – just two. Surely, Yogi
Lowe will reconsider his squad and tactics for the Euro 2020, perhaps opening a
spot for the uber talent.
Mauro Icardi (Argentina) – Serie A (Italy) League’s TOP SCORER was left off
the Argentine squad! At only 25, he
and fellow up-and-coming striker Dybala would’ve given Argentina a faster, more
youthful side as starters in key games against Croatia and France.
Instead, experienced (but slower) strikers Higuain and Aguero were most
prominently featured alongside Messi during this World Cup.
While Dybala made the team, I believe he made just one
appearance, as a substitute. Perhaps
Icardi (and Dybala) don’t fit in Manager Sampaoli’s tactical planning…which
proved to be disastrous. In 4
matches, Argentina was outscored 9 goals to 6!
I’m pretty sure Icardi’s chances of playing in the next World Cup are
much higher than that of Sampaoli keeping his job!
Radja Nainggolan (Belgium) – On a team fully loaded with talent, you have to
maintain a good attitude to keep a spot on this roster.
In his case, a poor demeanor overshadowed the heart of club side Roma's
midfield, and he'll spend the summer watching his teammates make a run for the
Cup on television. The official
reason for this was “lack of fit” into Martinez’ tactical strategies.
Featuring in all 5 games Belgium played at the Euro 2016, Nainggolan
decided to “retire” from international football when he learned he was going to
be snubbed from the final 23 of the World Cup team by Manager Roberto Martinez.
Sore loser!
---
Eric
Eric
© 1998-2018 HWCI Productions
© 2012-2018 Foster's Football Brew
HWCI circa 1990
© 2012-2018 Foster's Football Brew
HWCI circa 1990
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