World Cup 2018: 5 issues Argentina needs to fix for glory in Russia

#3 Keep Willy Caballero away from the first eleven

Caballero is a disaster waiting to happen for the Argies

It is difficult to remember the last time Argentina had a very good goalie manning the sticks;,this is something that has tasked various managers of the Albiceleste for a while now.

The team’s numero uno, Sergio Romero was injured before the World Cup began but even he is by no means a world-class goalie (he has a permanent seat on Manchester United’s bench after all).

How Real Sociedad’s Geronimo Rulli has been overlooked for the national team is something that only coach Sampaoli can explain. However, if he wants his team to do anything of note in Russia 2018, starting Willy Caballero in goal is a no-no.

The veteran goalie was a good player for Malaga but ever since he made the move to English football (first Manchester City and now Chelsea), he has been the second choice to the likes of Joe Hart, Claudio Bravo and Thibaut Courtois.

His decision making is poor, he flaps at crosses and corners, even his saves cause unnecessary tension more often than not in the defense. Against Iceland, he kept adding to the anxiety of an already shaky defence and if the Vikings had been a bit more adventurous, they might have found joy attacking the 36-year-old.

Nahuel Guzman (Tigres) and Franco Armani (River Plate) are the other goalies in the squad. None of them are spring chickens (both are aged 32) but given that they have played more games for their club sides than Caballero, Sampaoli may have to make the decision and get one of them in if the team are to progress.