Thiago Almada scores for Atlanta United in 1-0 win vs. Orlando City

1. To me i suggested, our 26 been like these:
   Goal keepers
   Emi, john musso, rully.
   Defenders
   Otemendi, c romero, lisa martinez, pazzela, acuna, foyhty, morlina, taglipiaco.
   Midfielders
   Parades, Enzo parnandez, de paul, lo celso, guido. Marcalister, papu, exquel palacious
   Forwards
   Messi, d maria. Dybala. Lautaro, alvarez, giovani semioni. J corria

2. Almada should not be considered until he goes to a European club and proves himself. Yes, talents have come from MLS, but we should look at alternatives.

   If you look at the replay, Almada shoots and the goalkeeper jumps the other way.

   Why not try Lamela for 30 minutes in NT at midfield (similar to Dimaria at RM)? Although in the past he has shown injury-proned, it seems like all that may be behind him. Remember Lamela is a talent. If it were not so, LoCelso would not have gone back to the bench in Tottenham when Lamela got healthy again. How about Ocampos having the best time of his career at Sevilla until Lamela took his spot? What does Lamela do in training that managers feel they have to play him? Yes, in some games he seems ghost, but every time the ball is at his feet, a good bit of play and transition happens.

3. For Velez, Almada usually played either on the left wing, cutting inside, or as attacking midfielder through the centre. In Atlanta, he was occasionally used in a deeper role in central midfield which may be why he reappeared on Scaloni’s radar.

   In fact, in the last game he played as a centre-left midfielder in a 4-3-3, basically in Lo Celso’s position.

4. I think Scaloni and co understand the grueling nature of pre-World Cup schedule and are planning accordingly. We have depth in some positions (midfield) and not much in others (right-back).

5. As I said Almada not done yet. If he would be 25-26 years old playing at MLS that would be a different story because that means you will likely never improve. But if you’re just 20-21 then anything can happen. Some young MLS players attract Europe attentions for example Gab Slonina or Alphonso Davies. Hope Almada will do the same.

   Almada probably is not as good as when he was considered the next big thing a couple of years ago, but he certainly is a good talent. Let’s hope he can score 15-20 goals for Atlanta and then we’ll see.

6. The midfield situation of Argentina is getting very interesting. Scaloni have important decisions to take:

   Questions he should have in mind
   1. Have some of the midfielders already reached their peak in 2021 and in decline now? Have we already seen the best of De Paul, Lo Celso, Paredes, Papu etc.
   2. Are some of the new ones coming to their top form? Enzo Fernandez for example is shoulders ahead of Palacios etc. Is McAllister getting better?

   These are tough calls. If I have to make a choice of 7-8 midfielders for Worldcup in November, here it is. I am thinking November not who was best in 2021 copa america.

   1. de paul – will keep, regardless of his atletico situation
   2. lo celso – keep.
   3. Paredes – keep.
   4. Enzo – must have. his attitude and command in field is better
   5. Guido
   6. Papu – he can be moved up as a left winger. 2 position player.
   7. McAllister
   8. Almada – if Palacios is injured. I wish there was another like Guido

   I am not sure myself. But Scaloni have to think hard here. De Paul, Paredes, Lo Celso none are in top form. Just going by emotion on what they did 1.5 years back and that they will always be great for NT can be risky. Again integrating all new players is a very risky idea too.

   One thing is clear, we must play Enzo as much as possible in the 2 friendlies

   • LoCelso has a good start to the season at Villarreal. He is their creative engine.

     DePaul’s issue is that he doesn’t start most matches but is getting around 40mins per week and during that time he has had decent display. Simeone’s fcuked up strategy is the culprit.

     Paredes is in sublime form and is finally in a team that can utilize him the best. Just need to stat fit as Juventus has very poor medical staff.

     Guido, he is integral part of Betis’s midfield and hasn’t done anything wrong. He is our only conventional defensive midfielder.

     MacAllister is like a floater/utility player and is in sublime form. If his good form continues in october too , then he will booked a seat to the world cup. He is almost % in.

     Palacios constant injury could get him dropped. Gago played a extremely important role during our 2014 WC qualifications but his glass body gave up in the middle of the world cup and Palacios is looking like a similar case. Palacios has been a regular sub and has played his part decently but his injury prone body is a concern.

     I agree with you Enzo deserves atleast 45mins each in both matches against easy opponents. He took no time to settle in Benfica and I don’t think it is too late to add him. Especially with his display in the Champions league, he is ready to fill in Palacios boots.

     Papu Gomez has been struggling recently. Sevilla has dropped him from starting xi as he hasn’t been performing as expected since the start of this season. Out of all our midfielders Papu is the best finisher. Hopefully, he will get his form back, otherwise Scaloni doesn’t like to pick players that are not getting adequate time in their club matches.

     Only 7 midfielders are to be selected and right now Palacios looks like the one that might miss out, not because of his skills or performance but his injuries.

   • 1.form is something that is managed from coaching staff according the scedule.
     now is September and we speak for November.
     world cup is something very important so players and every staff are aware of it.

     2.you are not serious professional if you drop 2 months before world cup players that you test and build your team on them 3 years now.
     we speak for additions and back up your core players. Not for replece them and try new team.

     3.the team is ready and look like well working oiled machine.
     Enzo and everyone like Enzo are coming in squad to fill gaps.
     after world cup we can start to discuss if we need to build new core for the future team.

7. Hopefully he will get the chance to play alongside Enzo in next friendly games; a worth trying for Dybala, Enzo, Alvarez, Mac allistar and Messi with ADM playing as a super subs

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