Username
Password
Scolari in Di Santo - Argentina tussle

FRANCO DI SANTO
By dixon9
January 8 2009
Chelsea striker Franco Di Santo has been told by Big Phil that he needs him to stay with the club rather than play for Argentina. The South American Under-20 Championship starts in Venezuela later this month.

Scolari only has two senior strikers in the squad in Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka and is loathe to lose Di Santo who is beginning to show signs that he is more than reasonable back-up. 

"I spoke to Scolari and he told me that he wouldn't let me go," said Di Santo yesterday. 

"There are only three strikers in the squad: Didier Drogba, Nicolas Anelka and me, and he told me that he needs me to stay in London."

Di Santo, Chelsea Vert

Argentina coach Batista is concerned as he faces a similar problem with another striker Pablo Piatti who plays for Almeria en La Liga in Spain. 

"We are still waiting to see if Pablo Piatti and Franco Di Santo can play for us. We have to wait and see what FIFA say. We are anxious for them to join us but we have to wait." 

FIFA are likely to rule that Chelsea must release Di Santo which is understandable but no doubt the young striker has to balance almost guaranteed playing time for his country with the possibility of shining for Chelsea and going one step further to persuading Scolari that he must feature more regularly.   

Captain John Terry has also been advising Di Santo: 

"I spoke to John Terry a couple of times in the last couple of days and he said I was right to want to go and play. He said I'm only on the bench and need to get minutes in the team so I get noticed. I'm always on the bench. I've only played eight games this season, always coming on in the last 10 or 15 minutes." 

You can see both Scolari and Di Santo’s point of view; it’s always a great honour for a player to represent their country but you also have to feel a bit sorry for Big Phil who could see his options being further depleted.   

The Robinho debacle is obviously something that must still bother Scolari and there is also the real possibility that he won’t be getting any new players in during this transfer window. 

The Brazilian manager has already said that he is limited in options to play 4-4-2 for example, due to the lack of left-footed wingers at the club –and Malouda is currently injured.  To be left with only two recognised strikers during this crucial period for Chelsea won’t help matters either.

View a Printer Friendly version of this Story.

Bookmark or share this story with:

Scolari in Di Santo - Argentina tussle
Posted by: 50 Years Over 100 Years (IP Logged)
Date: 08/01/2009 22:15

What do you think? You can have your say by posting below.
If you do not already have an account Click here to Register.

Options: Reply To This Message•Quote This Message•Report This Message
Goto Thread: Previous•Next
Goto: Message List•Log In

Goto: Message List•Search•Log In
Your Name: 
Your Email: 
Subject: 
Spam prevention:
Please, enter the code that you see below in the input field. This is for blocking bots that try to post this form automatically. If the code is hard to read, then just try to guess it right. If you enter the wrong code, a new image is created and you get another chance to enter it right.
CAPTCHA
We record all IP addresses on the Sportnetwork message boards which may be required by the authorities in case of defamatory or abusive comment. We seek to monitor the Message Boards at regular intervals. We do not associate Sportnetwork with any of the comments and do not take responsibility for any statements or opinions expressed on the Message Boards. If you have any cause for concern over any material posted here please let us know as soon as possible by e-mailing abuse@sportnetwork.net