World Cup Selection Dilemma: Who should Sampaoli start up front for Argentina?

For any other nation, the absence of a striker of Sergio Aguero’s calibre would have been a huge blow to their chances at the World Cup. Argentina, though, are a nation blessed with incredible striking talent. While the Manchester City striker will miss the rest of the season with a knee issue, the 29-year-old may yet be fit for the World Cup. 

However, a lack of action and opportunities to build up his fitness for Russia 2018 presents Jorge Sampaoli with a selection issue. The Argentina head coach has ample attacking options and he must decide whether to risk taking Aguero or elect to instead bring along a forward in his place. Sampaoli largely elects for a lone frontman and he’s certainly not devoid of options for the role. 

In Gonzalo Higuain, Paulo Dybala, Mauro Icardi and Lautaro Martinez, there are quality replacements for Aguero, while captain Lionel Messi is also capable of leading the attack. Regardless, goals won’t be in short supply if league form is anything to go by. Three of the top-10 goalscorers in Europe’s top 5 leagues this season are all options for Sampaoli, with Messi (29), Icardi (26) and Dybala (21) all impressing for Barcelona, Inter and Juventus, respectively, 

The experienced Higuain isn’t underwhelming either, with 15 league goals to his name for title-chasing Juventus. If he is to look a little closer to home, Martinez has impressed in his own right. Dario Benedetto may have been another option for Sampaoli, who handed the striker his international debut, but the 27-year-old hasn’t featured since November after he ruptured his ACL against Racing Club. 

It was in that 2-1 loss that Martinez really announced himself to the watching world with a man of the match display. The 20-year-old is quickly become a household name this side of the Atlantic and for good reason having scored 11 goals and registered a further four assists for Racing Club this season, with Inter leading the race for his signature. 

There is more often than not a wildcard pick in any World Cup squad and Martinez could prove to be just that, despite a lack of international experience. Of course, he’ll hope to make a more substantial impact on the international stage than he managed on his debut as he replaced Higuain in the memorable, for all the wrong reasons, 6-1 defeat to Spain. 

That being said, Sampaoli will understandably look to start a striker who brings more than goals to his game. While a natural goalscorer, Icardi’s all round game leaves little to be desired having registered just one assist at an average of 0.9 key passes per 90 this season, fewer than any of the six aforementioned forwards. 

Messi of course dominates both goals and assists, but it may be that Sampaoli elects to use the diminutive attacker further back as a number 10 or out wide to maximise his creative talent, with Dybala similar in that regard. Should Aguero fail to prove his fitness in time, then, Sampaoli’s options are perhaps narrowed down to Higuain and Martinez and as the more experienced of the pair, it’s the former who is expected to get the nod. 

Argentina may have scraped into the World Cup, yet if their attack clicks, then they can cause some serious damage in Russia. This summer is the one for La Albiceleste to maximise their offensive power in the bid for glory.